ONE of the world's leading experts on Myles Standish has backed the campaign to reinstate him as one of Chorley's most famous sons.

Helen Moorwood's research into the life of one of the founding fathers of the US, has spanned almost a decade. She is visiting St Laurence's Church, Union Street, Chorley, where some of Myles's relations are buried, next Tuesday.

The campaign was further boosted this week when a monk from Reading was confirmed as a Standish family member -- which could provide the link to prove Myles, considered a national hero in the States, was from Chorley.

Rector of Chorley, the Rev John Cree, has been researching the historical figure's life and wants the bones in the Standish family vault in St Laurence's to be exhumed and be DNA tested to claim Myles for Chorley.

Mrs Moorwood will give a one hour talk on the Pilgrim Fathers and was thrilled to hear of the campaign to bring Myles back.

The 59-year-old, whose research stems from her grandmother Alice, who was an ancestor of the Duxbury family, said: "The campaign is an excellent idea.

"The Isle of Man have claimed him and Rev Cree is the first person in Chorley to approach me and ask me about Myles.

"He is Myles Standish of Duxbury and it's time people in Chorley recognised their own son like any other town or city would do."

Mrs Moorwood has travelled from her home near Munich in Germany, for a two week stay with sister, Mary, in Darwen, where she grew up.

She is currently writing about Myles Standish who travelled to the US on the Mayflower in 1620 and was born at Duxbury Hall, Chorley.

She said: "There is a monument to Myles in Massachusetts which is the second largest in America. He is a national hero over there."

Rev Cree heard this week that Benjamin Standish, a Benedictine monk from Reading who came forward after an appeal for potential family members by the American Mayflower Society, was closely related to Myles.

He said: "Benjamin's DNA results came back which we believe link him to Standishes over in America who can prove they were related to Myles.

"If we can cross reference that DNA with the bones in our vault, then we have proof Myles was from here."

Benjamin said: "I don't really understand much about the DNA results but I believe they say I am a match. In fact, when I got them they were so complicated I sent them back to the experts so they could translate them for me.

"But it's certainly excited the Americans"

Rev Cree has helped launch a historical society to further local studies and hopes to hold a year-long festival to celebrate Myles's birthright.

Chorley could become a US tourist hot spot if it is proved Myles is from the town which could be a moneyspinner for the district.