A POIGNANT little note is struck by an anonymous reader of this column who found an unusual piece of 'litter' blowing around the streets of St Helens.

On closer inspection, it turned out to be an original marriage certificate (in perfect condition) from 62 years ago.

And the thoughtful finder explains, in a note popped into the Star office: "It may have some sentimental value to someone and I hope you can help to restore it to the family concerned."

The certificate marks the 1937 wedding at Ravenhead St John's Church of 23-year-old miner Thomas Plumbley of Whittle Street, Toll Bar, and Mary Doris Reynolds (22) of Hamer Street, St Helens.

It's just an ordinary old certificate (complete with a penny stamp adorned by the profile of King George V).

But if it could only speak I wonder what tales it could tell of family ups and downs through the second world war of 1939-45 and events joyful, tearful and nostalgic, perhaps right through to the present day.

For there's just a chance that the couple, who would by now be in their mid-eighties, are still alive and living locally.

ANY family claimants could drop me a note at the Star.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.