FORMER Coronation Street star Sean Wilson paid a visit to Inglenook Farm for the launch of the Rainford Heritage Society's latest exhibition.

Following a great public response to an appeal for donations relating to crafts done at home and memorabilia from pub and outdoor games, the exhibition was unveiled on Sunday (March 12).

Hundreds turned out to view the glimpses of village life in times gone by, which will be on show each day at the farm for three weeks.

Displays date back as far as the early 1800s and include a range of items from old sewing boxes to a sausage making machine.

And the old Red V which became part of the furniture at Saints' former Knowsley Road home is also on display.

Ex-Corrie actor Sean Wilson, who played Martin Platt in the much-loved soap opera, was at the venue for the launch.

"Since Sean finished Corrie he opened his own cheese business and goes around special markets and always comes to Inglenook and I've got to know him over the years," said Ray Waring, chairman of the heritage society.

"He always comes to see us and we had a fantastic response on Sunday. The Saints Red V weighs several hundredweights and it's a heck of a job getting it up but it makes for a great feature in the back of the room."

Ray added: "A lad in Rainford in 1947 made a Rainford monopoly and it has all the roads and he now lives in Australia but his sister still lives here.

"We have lots of different sports featured and all the games in the home and games we play outside and a big photo display of Rainford right through Victorian times to the 1940s."

The exhibits will remain on show until Sunday, April 2.