A LONG-serving parish priest whose parents had strong local connections is the first clergyman to be appointed a Freeman of the Borough.

Canon John Pennington, aged 81, of Holy Cross Church, is the son of the late John and Ellen, who was a member of the Morris family who owned ironmongery and tobacconist businesses in St Helens.

John's uncles, Richard and Rowland Pennington, were headmaster of St Joseph's school and a sports shop proprietor respectively, while his cousin Richard is a retired dentist living in Eccleston.

Born in Newton-le-Willows, Canon Pennington attended West Park Grammar School before studying for the priesthood at Up Holland Seminary. There his fellow students included John Cooke, Kenneth Ashton and Bernard Forshaw, all of whom served locally.

John was ordained in 1945 and said his first Mass at the Carmelite monastery, Eccleston -- where his aunt was a nun -- and during infancy bouncing babe Pennington had to be 'smuggled' in, with the community being an enclosed order!

He also served at Chorley, the Isle of Man, Kirkby and Netherton before coming to Holy Cross in 1978.

John was appointed Canon of the Metropolitan Chapter and Dean of St Helens and went on to make valuable contributions to the life of the town.

He became a member of the blind society and Christian council; education committee observer; and chaplain at Providence Hospital, a role he now fills at St Helens Hospital.

John celebrated his golden jubilee in 1995, and has been the Catholic representative at the town's Remembrance Day service since first ministering at Holy Cross.

Speaking of his elevation to Freeman of the Borough, Canon Pennington said: "I was totally astonished to receive this award for services to the church and community and regard it as a great honour."