Friends and members of Drummersdale Mission in Scarisbrick met for the last time on Sunday afternoon as its doors finally closed after an amazing 180 years.

And 'amazing' is an apt word to use, considering it began after the local Roman Catholic squire, Charles Scarisbrick, was so impressed with the dramatic change in the lives of farmworkers and their children who'd attended a local preacher's home where they were taught in his kitchen.

The original chapel opened in 1843 on land the squire donated and was extended and updated down the years with its harvest festivals particularly well attended:

A vintage harvest festival at Drummersdale Mission (qlocal.co.uk)

The sad decision to close the work was made after just five regular members - from Southport and Aughton - were supporting it, with visiting preachers leading Sunday afternoon services.

The chapel also had a regular ladies meeting and prayer meeting; its last service was led by David Atherton of Aughton with visitors from churches in Southport and Aughton pictured outside prior to the meeting.