PROUD villagers have unveiled their first war memorial in Wincham.

Representatives from the Mercian Regiment, Royal Navy, Royal Artillery Association and Royal Engineers Association attended an inaugural service on Saturday.

The memorial was unveiled by the winners of Wincham Primary School peace competition – Finn Latham, Ellie Sharman, Daisie Warren and Lucy Millar.

Residents young and old joined veterans, parish councillors, MP Esther McVey, civic dignitaries and VIPs for the village's first remembrance day service at their very own memorial on Sunday.

Bugler Chris Purdie played the Last Post and the Reveille.

Wreaths were laid by Finn Latham and Lucy Miller on behalf of the Queen, MP Esther Mc Vey and CWAC Cllr Don Hammond for the government, parish Cllrs Ian Parr and Kenton Barker for the parish council, Rob Hayes and Steve Smith on behalf of the armed services and Christopher Cernac and Michael Watts on behalf of the Friends of Linnards Lane Memorial Garden.

Tony and Pat Psaila laid a wreath on behalf of Wincham War Memorial donors and Ellie Sharman and Daisie Warren laid one for Wincham villagers.

The memorial was created thanks to a colossal effort by dedicated villagers to honour 23 service men from the village who lost their lives fighting for their country.

The Friends of Linnards Lane Memorial, a community-supported group, was formed in 2016 after Wincham Parish Council discovered they were forbidden by law to create a war memorial.

A small team of residents have worked tirelessly on the planning, design, creation and fundraising of the war memorial after it was confirmed that people of the parish could build a memorial.

Donations were received from several companies and many private donors.

Manchester Airport awarded a £3,000 grant from their community fund.

Sculptor Keith Carter Harris engraved the names of 19 servicemen who died in the First World War and four in the Second World War.

A memorial garden filled with fragrant flowers had already been created and is being tended by volunteers.

Parish councillor Debs May said: "Timescales have been tight but it is exciting to know that in this special anniversary year Wincham will at last have its own war memorial.

"We are very grateful to all the businesses and individuals for their donations.

"It will not only be rightly honouring all of Wincham's known heroes but also serve as a fitting reminder to future generations of the sacrifice made to obtain the peace we all enjoy today."