TWO mystery photographs of a church and a priest published in the BEN have caused lots of interest.

The black and white photographs were handed in at our offices after being found in the street. They showed the inside of a church and a separate portrait of a priest wearing glasses.

Several readers have contacted the News Desk to say they recognised the church and identified it at St Mary's in Bolton.

Mr Tom Harrington of Morris Green said the church was where his parents were married in 1938. And he is convinced the priest pictured in front of the altar is Father Lawless.

Mr Harrington said: "St Mary's was shaped like a cross and the altar shown is the one nearest the town centre. After the church was closed because of a diminishing congregation, the building was cut down in size and turned into a restaurant. St Mary's School is now the site of the Moat House."

And Mr David Crompton, an ex-altar boy at St Mary's from 1968 to 1974, also recognised the picture. He said:

"It looks a great deal like the side altar of the church." But he thought the priest standing by the altar was possibly the parish priest, the Rev Father John Martin.