A POIGNANT poppy walk has been held to commemorate the 247 men from Winsford who died in the First World War.

Winsford town mayor Cllr Gina Lewis organised the memory walk on Saturday to raise funds for her two charities, the Royal British Legion and Alzheimer's UK.

Junior town mayor Mya Barlow, 10, a pupil at Over St John's and salt queen Brogan Bowyer, 14, from Over, joined volunteers for the commemorative event.

Using a 1908 map, a group of volunteers accompanied the mayor as she set off from the marina on Saturday morning using a 1908 map to leave poppies at the homes of men who sacrificed their lives - 100 years ago.

Cllr Lewis said: "Poppies were placed in the streets where some of the 247 men from Wharton and Over who never returned lived.

"High Street and Station Road each had over 14 men who died.

"Some 55 poppies were placed where homes are still in existence. With redevelopment and the growth of Winsford, many no longer exist."

Resident Emma Brown, from Woodford Lane, said: "We were asked to get involved and we were happy to help."

Jay McGough, step mum of salt queen Brogan, said: "People don't talk about the history of Winsford as much as they should.

"Around 1,500 men went to war and only a small number came back. It is a lost generation as they would all have been so young and a similar age.

"Quite a lot has changed in Winsford but facts like this are very poignant.

"These poppies stand for all the soldiers not just the fallen ones."

Anyone who finds a poppy outside their property in Winsford and wishes to known more details about the serviceman who lived at their home can text 07801 846357 for further details.

Cllr Lewis added: “I have two main themes this year, peace and hope, and I have chosen two charities to reflect this. The peace given to families by the Royal British Legion and the hope given to those supported by Alzheimer’s UK."

Cllr Lewis hopes to shine a light on those in the Winsford community living with Alzheimer’s, after her husband and consort Denis was diagnosed with the condition five years ago and continues to lead a happy and active life.

Cllr Lewis and her husband have taken part in two fundraising walks, the RBL 10k City Walk in Liverpool and the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk at Arley Hall.