MEMBERS of Bolton Mountain Rescue were so touched when a local woman left them £25,000 in her will that they decided to dedicate a plaque to her memory.

The plaque was presented to the late Ellen Sykes' local church, St Thomas of Canterbury RC Church in Heaton.

Ellen, a spinster who lived in Fifth Avenue, Heaton, died at the age of 85 last year. She amazed many local charities by leaving them part of her £720,000 fortune.

It is believed Ellen had been a keen walker, although she was not known personally to Bolton Mountain Rescue team members.

A plaque remembering Ellen was presented to Father John Coe at the church by members of the rescue team.

Team leader Garry Rhodes said: "We were delighted to receive such a large amount of money. It gave us a shock but more importantly, for the first time in the team's history, we have a sound financial basis."

The donation was a big boost for the team which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

The money has been placed in a high interest account and the possibility of replacing vehicles is being looked at.

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