A WIRRAL-based charity which supports seafarers was praised by the Archbishop of Westminster during a recent visit.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols visited Liverpool Seafarers Centre - which has bases in Eastham, Crosby and Liverpool Cruise Terminal - to encourage communities to support the plight of seafarers ahead of Sea Sunday celebration.

Taking place on July 14, it is an annual event in which Christian churches of all denominations remember and pray for seafarers, giving thanks to their lives and work.

Charities including the national Apostleship of the Sea, The Mission to Seafarers and the Sailors’ Society as well as non-denominational groups such as Sea Cadets carry out fundraisers, hold parades, and run awareness campaigns about life at sea.

Cardinal Nichols, who grew up in Crosby said: "It is wonderful to know that the centre is there to respond to the needs of seafarers, with practical and spiritual support, and I really do want to thank them.

"Seafarers have long been synonymous with the city of Liverpool being part of the fabric and identity of the city. But more importantly they play a fundamental role in each of our lives, with 95pc of British imports and exports transported by sea.

"When I visited Tilbury Docks a few years ago where I saw first-hand the confined quarters in which seafarers live. all the dangerous edges they negotiate, with huge amounts of heavy equipment and other machinery. I was surprised to learn about the speed with which ships turn around and the limited opportunities crew members have to get off the ships and to do the things you can’t do on ships, such as go to church, shop, get medical attention and contact their families.

"There are many ways local communities can support the work of organisations like Liverpool Seafarers Centre.

"We are encouraging all parishes to reach out ahead of Sea Sunday and help raise greater awareness of the important contribution that seafarers make to all of our lives.”

Formed in 2008 as a joint initiative between the Catholic and Anglican Mission's in Liverpool, Liverpool Seafarers Centre, gives practical and emotional help to more than 50,000 seafarers passing through North West of England ports each year.

The ecumenical charity is supported by donations from parishes from across the Wirral.

Its chief executive John Wilson said: “It’s been a privilege to open our doors to Cardinal Nichols. While having a global profile in the Catholic community he is also very well known locally having spent almost 15 years in the Liverpool archdiocese including vocations in Wigan and Edge Hill.

"It’s been particularly important for us to receive his blessing ahead of Sea Sunday as we gear up celebrate seafarers and fundraise with thousands of Christians around the world. The Cardinal’s prominent role promoting inter-faith relations with his message of love, respect and acceptance strongly resonates with that of Liverpool Seafarers Centre, as an ecumenical charity.

"We were thrilled he was able to pay tribute to the work of all those involved with our charity while acknowledging the professionalism, dedication and sacrifice of our visiting seafarers. He said the church will continue supporting their faith and welfare needs through its maritime mission agency, the Apostleship of the Sea."