THE sheer splendour of century-old Holy Cross church, along with the civic grandeur of the town hall, have provided the backdrop for many grand occasions in the past, and none more so than on Friday.

For the Mayor, Councillor Pat Robinson, and members of the local authority gathered to pay homage to six people whose distinguished service to the borough of St. Helens saw them elevated to Freeman status. They were Professor Graham Ashworth CBE, DL; Sister Kathleen Duffy; Geoff Duke OBE; Alex Murphy OBE; Canon John Pennington and Tony Richards.

It was a night awash with pomp, circumstance and ceremony, from the moment Mayor's attendant and ex-Army colour sergeant Alan Jenkins - resplendent with mace and regalia - led the official party into church for a special service conducted by Canon Leo Stoker.

Council Leader Marie Rimmer and councillors Brian Spencer and Betty Lowe spoke in support of the celebrated six, while the Freedom of the Borough resolution was read by chief executive Carole Hudson.

Having declared their allegiance to the Queen and Mayor, the honorary Freemen then signed the roll before receiving ornate caskets containing their scrolls of office from Councillor Robinson.

Now it was time to put aside protocol, with Rugby League legend Murphy recalling the day he was 'needled in a delicate area' by Providence Hospital immortal Sister Duffy. Motorcycle ace Duke - a youthful 77 - scarcely recognised the town of his birth on returning after 28 years.

Liverpool-born he may have been, but Ravenhead Renaissance prime mover Professor Ashworth felt he was an adopted son of St. Helens; 'Duffy' was certain she was an adopted daughter; community health chief Richards said he was deeply touched on hearing of his accolade, as did Canon Pennington, the first clergyman to be so honoured.

The newly-enrolled Freemen, dignitaries and invited guests then repaired to the town hall assembly room, where dinner was served, at which the toast by Councillor Rimmer was 'the Millennium Freemen of the Borough.'

Presentation of bouquets to Kathleen Duffy, Diana Richards, Daisy Duke, Alice Murphy, Gwynneth Ashworth and Alice Armstrong (Canon Pennington's housekeeper) were other delightful cameos on a truly auspicious occasion in the annals of the time-honoured County - and latterly Metropolitan - Borough of St. Helens.

For the record... the 19 previously-appointed Freemen are: David Gamble, Richard Pilkington, Richard Seddon, Josiah Gamble, Thomas Cook, William Windle Pilkington, Henry Baker Bates, John Forster, Guy Pilkington, Lord Harry Pilkington, William Burrows, Joseph Hughes, Margaret Shard, Thomas Hignett, Joseph Waring, Rachel Houghton, Arthur Coe, James Caunce and Lord John Evans.