AN ARRAY of dignitaries were in attendance at one of the town's most historic buildings for a civic tour.

Age UK Mid Mersey chief executive Mark Lunney welcomed the esteemed guests to the Mansion House, who were then shown around for the tour hosted by mayor and mayoress Cllrs David and Jeanette Banks.

The party enjoyed breakfast in the bistro followed by a heritage tour conducted by Fiona Ryan which concluded in the new Orangery.

The guests present consisted of The High Sheriff of Merseyside Jim Davies, OBE DL and wife Shirley, mayor and mayoress of Halton Cllr Ged Philbin and Rosalin Wong, mayor of Sefton Cllr Iain Brodie-Brown and mayor and mayoress of Wirral, Cllr Pat Hackett and Elaine Hackett.

Meanwhile also in attendance were mayor and consort of West Lancashire Cllr Liz Savage and Noel Delaney, mayor and consort of Bolton, Cllr Linda Byrne and Cllr John Byrne and mayor of Knowsley Cllr Frank Walsh.

St Helens' deputy mayor Cllr Joe Pearson and deputy mayoress were also present.

Sitting on Cowley Hill in the heart of Victoria Park, the Mansion House is steeped in history, and, built around 1849 by the late gentleman solicitor John Ansdell, has become an iconic building in the town.

The building's more recent uses have included a museum, housing a scary tiger that frightened children of all ages, and for park management by the council.

The house and walled gardens were sold to Age UK Mid Mersey in 1994, who are still based at the venue.