A CHURCH in Bewsey, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, is looking for former rose queens and parishioners to help commemorate its special landmark.

St Barnabas Church, on Lovely Lane, is 125 on October 18, and this summer a series of events is planned to mark the special day.

Anita Shearer, church warden, is leading the search for former rose queens by submitting a picture of herself taking up royal duties in 1967.

She said: "We are trying to locate past rose queens. We have got names going back to the 1970s, but we want to go further back than that. We are doing all sorts of things this year to attract people's attention back to the church."

Mrs Shearer said that they are searching for anybody who has memories of the church or childhood stories about attending the Sunday school.

The Rev Karen Timmis said that she hopes parishioners, past and present, will join their procession on Walking Day on Friday July 2.

She added: "It's not just about today's congregation, it's about all the people who have made an effort over the last 125 years.

"We want them to help us with our celebrations."

The festivities for St Barnabas Day begin on June 13 and events will take place in the run-up to October, including a Heritage Weekend on September 11 and 12.

The events will culminate in a birthday mass at the church, led by the Bishop of Warrington, on Sunday, October 17.

Anyone who is keen to join in the celebrations or find out more about what is going on is asked to call Rev Karen Timmis on 633556 or Anita Shearer on 653716.