A GROUP of Americans have arrived in Bury for a special service to dedicate a stained-glass window symbolising their new-found friendship with the borough.

Sixty people from Woodbury will attend the dedication ceremony at St Anne's Church, Tottington on Sunday night (March 25). Among them will a group of Quakers.

It was Quaker Henry Wood who fled to America from Tottington 300 years ago to escape religious persecution. The window depicts the rekindling of that historic link. Wood, who became one of America's founding fathers, was born at Brookhouse Farm. He helped found a settlement on the Delaware River which he named Woodbury.

Bury Mayor, Councillor Bill Johnson, who lives in Tottington, made a substantial donation toward the £10,000 cost of the window. The rest of the cash is being raised by the people of Woodbury. Mr. Melvin Magnall, Balmoral Close, of Greenmount, had hoped to recreate the epic sail undertaken by Henry Wood. But his dream, Sailing into the Millennium, had to be abandoned after problems with his sloop, The Henry Wood.

But Mr Magnall has accomplished what he set out to do, to establish a firm link between Bury and Woodbury.

He said: "The service on Sunday will be the seal on the friendship."

Before the 6pm service, the visitors will attend a naming ceremony at the East Lancs Railway Station, where an engine will be named the Henry Wood.

Dignitaries from the city of Woodbury attending, include the mayor, Mr Don Sanderson. The First Secretary to the American Ambassador will also attend.

The service at St Anne's will be led by the vicar the Rev Hugh Bearn.

He said: " This window will form a focal point for visitors to Tottington for the next 150 years or more."