SCENTED lilies filled St Mary’s Church in Hale village with intoxicating scent.

Each of the elegant white flowers surrounding the altar were placed in memory of a loved one and formed the focal point of a flower festival.

Talented flower arrangers created designs to depict a year in the life of this ancient church, whose history dates back to 1081.

Volunteers spent hours depicting 15 different themes, including baptism, wedding, Christmas, Pentecost and harvest.

Organiser Naomi Hadden, of Church Road, said: “Everyone asked to help willingly gave their time and talents.

“This was about fellowship, bringing people into church and making people happy.”

More than 150 people joined the Mayor and Mayoress of Halton, Clrs Tom and Angela McInerney, and the Lord Mayor of Hale, Brian Hargraves, for evensong on Sunday with the Anglican Cathedral Choir.