FOR this week's Nostalgia we wanted to take a look at St Leonard's Church in Cleator.

The church, which is located just off the Main Street of the village, has a rich history dating back centuries.

It was first mentioned during the reign of King Henry I between 1100 and 1135 and the current chancel dates back to the XII century and has been used as a celebration of Divine Worship for 900 years.

Below the walls are the remains of earlier walls which are possibly pre Norman, it is thought that they may be the remains of the first church built in the Parish.

Most likely it will have been built by those who evangelised the area, during the Celtic era which could date back as far as the times of St Ninian, who died in 432, or St Aidan, around 651.

The church itself is a Grade II listed building.

The churchyard has approximately 200 grave stones including 2 Commonwealth War Graves from the First World War.

To this day it is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Calder and the Diocese of Carlisle, its benefice is Crosslacon.

These photos show what has gone on in the parish over the years. We can see reverend Peter Turnbull leaving the church to go on a long distance pilgrimage, a Viking re-enactment, church goers from St Mary's and St Leonard's donating money to Hospice at Home, a snowy day in the grounds around the church in 2006, and reverend Ron Bowlzer and father Emmanuel Gribben enjoying a look around the stalls at Cleator Moor Civic Hall on the day of St Leonards Church Fair.

Other photos show a Flower Festival, the opening of the Autumn Fayre, and a dance group meeting at the hall.