ONE of the largest funeral crowds in St Helens during modern times is expected on Monday when mourners gather to say farewell to Steve Prescott.

St Mary’s Lowe House has been confirmed as the venue for the funeral and crowds are expected to reach the 1,000 capacity of the town’s largest Catholic church.

The scale of the response – both in St Helens and beyond – since Steve passed away has led the family to opt for the funeral to be open to the public.

The expectations are that people will line streets surrounding the North Road church to pay respects to an icon who inspired countless numbers with his relentless fight against cancer.

Leading figures from rugby league, including former Saints team-mates and a delegation from the club, will be in attendance.

Others connected to his other former clubs, Hull and Wakefield, will also travel to pay their respects along with hundreds of supporters from clubs up and down the country.

They will be joined by backers of his charity, including those who joined him on Herculean endurance challenges or a large scale sporting events that the foundation organised.

Canon Tom Neylon, from the St Julie's Parish in Eccleston where the family lives, will lead a Requiem Mass.

The Steve Prescott Foundation is planning to organise a public address system outside the church for people who cannot find a place inside.

A further service will follow later at St Helens Crematorium, which the family has requested is attended by family and close friends only.

Mike Denning, chair of the Steve Prescott Foundation, told the Star: “The family felt it was appropriate for people to come and pay their respects.

“It is the biggest Catholic church in St Helens and we are expecting more than 1,000 people will turn up.

“We are going to put a PA system outside and will try to accommodate people.”

The church service will begin at 11am.

The route of the funeral cortege to church is: Daresbury Road, Gunning Avenue, Bleak Hill, Millbrook Lane, Mill Brow (past De La Salle), Knowsley Road, Eccleston Street, Westfield Street, King Street, North Road.

From the church to St Helens Crematorium: North Road, Bishop Road, Dentons Green Lane, Rainford Road.

The request is for family flowers only.

Donations can be made to The Steve Prescott Foundation c/o justgiving.com/steveprescott foundation or by cheques payable to Steve Prescott Foundation, 5 Welbeck Road, Wigan WN36RS.