A SPECIAL church service has been held in Widnes to mark 300 years of Freemasonry in England.

The celebration took place in St Luke’s, Farnworth, a grade II listed building dating back to the 12th century.

Provincial Grand Master Tony Harrison attended the service and granted a dispensation to allow the wearing of regalia which added a lot of colour to the occasion.

The service was conducted by the Provincial Grand Chaplain Rev Canon Godfrey Hirst.

In 1717 a group of Freemasons from all walks of life met in a London pub and formed the United Grand Lodge.

Since then the fraternity has grown to more than 200,000 members in 7,000 lodges across England and Wales.

Widnes group chairman Neil Pedder and his wife Liz, vice chairman John Gibbon and his wife Yvonne joined other officials and committee members for the celebration.

Mr Harrison explained the contribution Freemasons made to the community.

He said: “Whist the origins of our institution are shrouded in the mists of time, what is not in doubt are the benevolence and charitable record of Freemasons to their families, their dependents and their communities.”

In 2015 the four main London groups donated more than £14 million to charities.

The West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, to which Widnes belongs, distributes £500,000 every year to needy causes.

Mr Harrison added: “This great province has an enviable record of charitable giving and charitable works.

“This 300th anniversary affords us an opportunity to not only show the world what we stand for and believe in but to continue the tradition of caring for those in need.”

Refreshments were served afterwards at Widnes Masonic Hall on Kingsway.