THERE has been a lot of sadness, stress and pain over the past 12 months.

But the strength and compassion our community has shown in the face of adversity has also been an overriding feature of 2020 – and many of the photographs that have featured in the Star’s pages have reflected this.

Yes, there’s been the empty supermarket shelves, the barren high streets of lockdown, the boarded up businesses and NHS covid wards.

And we’ve seen families separated by lengthy lockdowns peering through windows at loved ones – desperately wanting to reach out and give them a hug.

But set against that there’s been the rainbows of hope painted by our children, the united public displays of love for the NHS and the golden-hearts spreading goodwill on doorsteps, by bringing gifts, or song or kind words to people in isolation. And we’ve kept each other’s chins up through events such as Scarecrow Festivals and socially-distanced VE Day anniversary celebrations.

Many of the pictures – all submitted by our readers over the course of the year – portray that incredible community spirit.

n If you have an image that you feel reflects 2020 email news@sthelensstar.co.uk.