A GROUP of volunteers have visited war graves across the borough. 

The gesture is a Europe-wide event that sees volunteers visit the graves of fallen heroes on the third Sunday of December. 

The group paid tribute to 54 graves in total at Newton-le-Willows Cemetery, Emmanuel Wargrave Church, and St Paul's Church in St Helens.

The annual event sees volunteers place candles, poppies, and other flowers on war graves to remember them as the festive season approaches and we reach the end of the year. 

READ > Council's Christmas gift appeal receives thousands of donations

Helen and Jeff Round from Newton-le-Willows, who travel around the country to visit war graves, were among those who volunteered.

Helen said: "We were asked to help with this year's tea light event, initially being asked to just do the Newton cemetery, but we decided to visit all three locations.

"Newton Cemetery has 46 war graves, St Paul’s has seven and Emmanuel churchyard has one.

St Helens Star: Helen and Jeff visited 54 war graves alongside other volunteersHelen and Jeff visited 54 war graves alongside other volunteers (Image: Jeff Round)

"We were more than happy to place the lights and returned the following morning to retrieve them.

"The Newton yard has two very notable war graves, a husband and wife, and lights were placed for both."

St Helens Star: The group visited graves in Newton-le-Willows Cemetery, St Paul's Church, and Emmanuel Church The group visited graves in Newton-le-Willows Cemetery, St Paul's Church, and Emmanuel Church (Image: Jeff Round)

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) is a global organisation caring for war graves and hosts Candlelit Christmas Remembrance every year to offer local communities a chance to gather to remember the sacrifices of brave heroes.

For further information on what they do, visit https://www.cwgc.org/who-we-are/our-story/.