THESE fantastic photos from years gone by show how Warrington welcomed huge ships from around the world.

They were captured by photographer Eddie Whitham in the 1960s as they sailed along the Manchester Ship Canal towards, away from and while stationary at Latchford Locks.

Large ships at Latchford Locks in April 1965 (Image: Eddie Whitham)

Large ships at Latchford Locks in April 1965 (Image: Eddie Whitham)

The large vessels bear flags and countries from across the globe, including India, Denmark and the Soviet Union.

Built between 1885 and 1894, the Manchester Ship Canal linked new sections of waterway through Warrington to the River Mersey to enable ocean-going vessels to reach the new inland port of Manchester and the neighbouring Lancashire cotton towns.

A ship from Bombay in India photograoed in the town in April 1965 (Image: Eddie Whitham)

A ship from Bombay in India photographed in the town in April 1965 (Image: Eddie Whitham)

Today, the parallel hydraulically operated locks can be seen at Latchford, the larger of which is 183 metres long and 20 metres across.

The sluice gates behind the smaller lock control the flow of water and maintain a constant level.

A ship passes under the railway viaduct in April 1965 (Image: Eddie Whitham)

A ship passes under the railway viaduct in April 1965 (Image: Eddie Whitham)

Towering above the locks is the railway viaduct which was built to allow the tallest ships to pass beneath while carrying the now-closed London and North Western Railway line.

The nearby Knutsford Road Swing Bridge is one of a series built through the town to allow canal traffic to pass through the area’s road crossings.

A large ship travels along the Manchester Ship Canal in July 1965 (Image: Eddie Whitham)

A large ship travels along the Manchester Ship Canal in July 1965 (Image: Eddie Whitham)

Latchford Locks at night in September 1965 (Image: Eddie Whitham)

Latchford Locks at night in September 1965 (Image: Eddie Whitham)

A ship from the Danish capital Copenhagen arrived in Warrington in August 1965 (Image: Eddie Whitham)

A ship from the Danish capital Copenhagen arrived in Warrington in August 1965 (Image: Eddie Whitham)

A ship passes under the railway viaduct in September 1965 (Image: Eddie Whitham)

A ship passes under the railway viaduct in September 1965 (Image: Eddie Whitham)

Sunset on the Manchester Ship Canal in September 1965 (Image: Eddie Whitham)

Sunset on the Manchester Ship Canal in September 1965 (Image: Eddie Whitham)

A Norwegian boat docked in the town in the sixties (Image: Eddie Whitham)

A Norwegian boat docked in the town in the sixties (Image: Eddie Whitham)

A ship bearing the Soviet Union flag in Warrington in March 1967 (Image: Eddie Whitham)

A ship bearing the Soviet Union flag in Warrington in March 1967 (Image: Eddie Whitham)

A Calcutta boat moored in Warrington in the sixties (Image: Eddie Whitham)

A Calcutta boat moored in Warrington in the sixties (Image: Eddie Whitham)

A large ship at Latchford Locks in the sixties (Image: Eddie Whitham)

A large ship at Latchford Locks in the sixties (Image: Eddie Whitham)

A ship bearing the Soviet Union flag in Warrington in March 1967 (Image: Eddie Whitham)

A ship bearing the Soviet Union flag in Warrington in March 1967 (Image: Eddie Whitham)

A Finnish vessel in Warringotn in March 1968 (Image: Eddie Whitham)

A Finnish vessel in Warrington in March 1968 (Image: Eddie Whitham)

Warrington Guardian: A Danish ship at Latchford Locks in March 1968 (Image: Eddie Whitham)A Danish ship at Latchford Locks in March 1968 (Image: Eddie Whitham)