A CAMPAIGN has been launched to raise funds for a memorial honouring a 19th century lifeboat crew from Hoylake who perished during a rescue.

The eight men lost their lives during the tragedy in 1810.

A special service of remembrance will be held at Hoylake Lifeboat Station on Tuesday, December 22 at 11am.

Tragedy struck on December 22, 1810, after the crew had gone to the aid of a ship called 'Traveller', which had been driven ashore in the Mersey.

Whilst the rescue and subsequent loss of life is well known, it is only through research carried out in 2004 that full details of the event and names of those who died, with the exception of one, have been verified.

They were John Bird aged 40, his sons Henry, 18, and John, 16, and nephew Henry Bird, 18.

In addition Joseph Hughes aged 38 years, his brother Richard Hughes aged 36 years and Richard’s son Thomas Hughes aged 16 years also died.

It has not been possible to verify the identity of the eigth man.

The Hoylake 1810 Memorial Fund will raise funds for the installation of a permanent bronze memorial to these men who so bravely gave their lives in order to save others.

It will be sited outside the new Hoylake Lifeboat Station and the plan is to install it by December next year, on the event's 200th anniversary.

The public is invited to make donations. Cheques should be made payable to 'Hoylake 1810 Memorial Fund” and should be sent to one of the two trustees of the account, Mr. John Curry, 15 Devonshire Road, West Kirby, Wirral CH48 7HR.