THE memory of a former naval air station in Stretton is to be kept alive with the installation of a commemorative plaque.

HMS Blackcap is to be remembered for being one of England's premier naval air bases for 16 years, between 1942 and 1958.

The commemorative plaque will be on show in the passenger lounge of Shearings Coach Station near Barleycastle Industrial Estate.

It is the central part of a display explaining and depicting the historical significance of the base, which is now the site of Appleton Thorn Young Offender's Institute.

Derek Enfield, who is helping to maintain its history, said: "We chose the passenger lounge as a suitable place for the plaque because of the amount of people who will be able to see it.

"And these will be people of the age who are very interested in this sort of historic memorabilia."

Derek is collating a book remembering HMS Blackcap and it should be published at the end of the year.

This follows his appeal in the Warrington Guardian to people in Whitley, Stretton, Appleton and Antrobus to contribute towards the publication.

He said: "I received more than a hundred responses with submissions coming in from Australia, the United States and France.

"Some people have sent in whole diaries that they kept at the time and we also got lots of photographs."

The heritage group is still willing to accept any contributions until the beginning of June.

Anyone with any information can contact Derek Enfield on 01565 777248.