A SPECIAL exhibition honouring soldiers who fought in World War One is being showcased at a Bolton town centre church.

The exhibition – at United Reformed Church of St Andrew and St George – is part of National Heritage Day and pays tribute to the soldiers who served in the Great War and who also formed part of the church’s congregation between 1914 and 1918.

Reverend Mark Bates, his wife Gillian and church member Dan Muir, have put together various displays featuring photographs, medals, old Bolton Evening News cuttings, soldiers’ stories and poig-nant poetry from the trenches.

Mr Bates said: “We put on an event each year for National Heritage Day, but this year felt it only right that we should combine that with the centenary of World War One.

“We have some fantastic images of the Loyal North Lancashire and Lancashire Fusiliers regiments, as well as some very moving poetry written by lads in the trenches.”

Mr Muir added: “The church is a combination of two which united in 1979, so the soldiers on the roll of honour include those who were in the congregation of both churches.

“The exhibition has taken about six months of hard research and planing to do, but it has been well worth it to commemorate such brave men and women.”

The St Georges Road church, formerly attended by Lord Leverhulme, is opening its doors to the public today from 10am until 3pm.