THE history of Ellesmere Port has been commemorated in a special brochure and given to the town’s children to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year.

Packed with local people, the book contains a 60-year timeline of the town’s history and images from the 1950s to the present.

Each school in the area has been presented with the brochure, which has been funded by a range of sponsors including Cheshire West and Chester Council, Port Arcades and Essar, and put together by Ellesmere Port resident Anne Davies, the deputy Lieutenant of Cheshire.

It will also be on sale for residents to buy at the library, Civic Way offices and Plus Dane offices, at a cost of £2, with all proceeds going to the British Heart Foundation’s Heart Town appeal.

Mrs Davies said: “When the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire pulled his deputies together and asked them how they could help their communities to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee I thought it would be terrific to provide something for each young person in Ellesmere Port to keep as a lasting memento.

“We have charted the history of our town from the Domesday Book across six decades of the Queen’s reign through to the present day and looking forward to the future.

“I would like to thank all of the sponsors for making this happen but also everyone who contributed – when I issued an appeal for information, photos and personal recollections I was inundated.”

The brochure was launched at an event at the Whitby High School last week, whose pupils were the first to receive their copies.

Ellesmere Port mayor Pat Merrick said: “We have had much to commemorate as a nation this year and I am delighted to say that the celebrations taking place across Ellesmere Port have been incredible.

“Our town has changed so much over the last 60 years, and Ellesmere Port has so much going for it that I know in another 60 years it will unrecognisable as the place we all know and love today.

“I hope local residents will pass this souvenir booklet down to their children and grandchildren and it becomes something we cherish and shows our pride in our hometown.”