Restoration for sailors' landmark

The church is a symbol of Liverpool's maritime heritage

One of the most historic symbols of Liverpool's maritime heritage celebrates a facelift on Sunday.

The tower of St Nicholas, Liverpool Parish Church, the city's oldest church, will be re-dedicated following a year of restoration work.

The Landmark Tower Appeal has raised £115,000 to renovate the tower, which survived Nazi bombs when the rest of the church was destroyed.

The service is also marking 800 years of Merseyside seamanship.

The Reverend Steven Brookes, the rector, will perform the service at the waterfront church.

Church Warden David Brazendale said it was appropriate the work had taken place as Liverpool celebrates the year of the sea.

"The was the last thing the sailors saw as they left port and the first thing they saw as they returned home," he said.