THE rich history of Prescot Cemetery and Churchyard is on show for the public to see after lecterns were installed in the grounds.

The Star reported last year as the Friends of Prescot Cemetery and Churchyard group won £12,000 of funding from the Tesco Bags of Help scheme following a public vote.

The money enabled the volunteer group to install the lecterns to outline the history of the grounds.

There have been at least two churches on the site, with the first from as early as 1100.

The present church, also known as St Mary's, is a Grade I listed building, which was largely rebuilt in 1610 of local sandstone, and the existing nave, chancel, and roof are all of this date. The tower created in 1729 and spire added in 1797.

The tower and spire were designed by Henry Sephton, with the spire remade following a lightning strike.

A restoration took place in 1876, and the south vestry was added in 1900.

A war memorial also stands behind the parish church where it was moved to as part of a redevelopment after it had originally stood in Church Street, where it was unveiled in 1916.

It is believed to be the first World War One civic war memorial.

The Friends group have spent the past few years transforming the formerly neglected churchyard space into a safe, clean and welcoming place for visitors, meeting every Saturday afternoon.

Mayor of Knowsley Frank Walsh, mayor of Prescot Jennifer Chadwick and vicar Revd John Taylor attended the unveiling of the lecterns.

The Friends group said: "We were honoured to have Frank Walsh, the mayor of Knowsley Borough Council, Jennifer Chadwick the mayor of Prescot and The Revd John Taylor join the group to celebrate the installation of the information lecterns which are situated throughout the cemetery and churchyard in Prescot Parish church.

"We were joined by staff from Tesco Prescot who arranged the Bags of Help scheme which enabled us to pay for the lecterns.

"A big thank you also goes to Knowsley Council who assisted in the design and installation of the lecterns."