A SERVICE of Commemoration is being held in the village which once boasted its own Little America.

The special service will be held at St Paul of the Cross Church, Mercer Street, Burtonwood, on Sunday, October 7, to remember the lives lost or forever affected in the terrorist attacks in America earlier this month.

It has been organised by Churches Together in Burtonwood and is a fitting tribute by the village made famous by its airbase - one of the largest military airbases in Europe and which so many Americans called home during the Second World War.

Such was the cultural impact of the airbase, it became known as Little America and led to many GI brides walking down the aisle.

It is with this in mind that the churches in village have arranged the special service, as the Rev Russ Naylor, vicar of St Michael's and All Angels, explains.

"It will be a Service of Commemoration for those who died in New York and Washington on September 11 and prayers for the bereaved and injured," he said.

"We believe it is especially important that a service like this be held in Burtonwood where so many Americans served, lived, worshipped, were married and even settled, from 1942 through till 1993."

Among the honorary guests invited to the event are members of Burtonwood Parish Council and the Burtonwood Association, the Mayor of Warrington Clr Jeff Richards and Lord Hoyle.