A WAR memorial paying homage to fallen soldiers from Crank and Kings Moss villages has been unveiled.

The stone construction, in Crank Hill, holds the names of 21 men who died during world wars one and two.

The memorial came about after a teenage girl Chloe Biltcliffe found out her neighbour's brother had been killed during the first world war. After visiting France and learning more about the war, she asked village leaders why they didn't have anything to commemorate local men who had died.

Chloe, now 17, laid one of the first two wreaths at the foot of the new memorial when it was officially dedicated on Sunday, July 19.

Mike Brimage, of the Crank Village Community Association, said: "It all started from one young girl in the village doing some work for school. She visited France and came back saying 'wouldn't it be nice to have war memorial to represent Crank and King's Moss?'

"It must have been at least three years ago when we started thinking about it."

The memorial, next to the bowling green, lists 18 servicemen from World War One casualties and three from the Second World War. The stonework was completed by Crank resident Steve Mousdell.

Retired bank worker Mike, 66, who lives in Crank Hill, said: "At the time I was on the committee of the Crank Village Community Association and it was my job to oversee the building of our memorial, including the design and applying for planning permission."

Mike, who spent over 20 years in the Territorial Army added: "It's wonderful for the villages to have this reminder of the bravery of local young men."

The dedication service was conducted by Reverand Major John Williams, who is chaplain to the Armed Forces, after an introduction to the proceedings by the chairman of Rainford Parish Council, Rob Reynolds.