City's 'oldest' family revealed

At one time Anthony George's ancestors rented Speke Hall

A retired joiner from St Helens, who has been researching his family tree, believes that his family is the oldest in Liverpool.

Grandfather-of-six Anthony George, 68, from Rainhill, said he has proof of his Scouse lineage going back to 1543, during the reign of Henry VIII.

Mr George and his family will be VIP guests at the city's 800th birthday parade celebrations on 28 August.

He said he had really enjoyed the time spent researching his family's past.

"We've had so much fun looking into the family's past. Your family history is so important in giving you a sense of who you are," he said.

"It's made me realise I should have asked my mother more questions but it has brought me closer to my children."

He said he could officially trace his family back on his mother's side to 1569, at All Saints Church in Childwall, with the baptism of Katherine Wodley on 21 February.

The research which both he and his brother Eric George undertook, also showed that some of their ancestors rented the Grade I listed building Speke Hall, during the 1700s.