An important monument to Sandbach's history has been preserved – thanks to the hardworking efforts of two local stonemasons and a town councillor.

Sandbach Town Ward councillor, Ann Nevitt, had received complaints about the poor condition of the Charles Latham memorial outside Ashfields Primary Care Centre and Aldi in Sandbach.

Cllr Nevitt said people had complained that the writing was illegible and the monument erected to "commemorate the blameless life devoted to the service of his fellows" was looking unkempt.

So Cllr Nevitt decided to do something about it and enlisted the help of stonemasons from Sandbadh funeral directors, Williams & Lowe funeral directors in Congleton Road, Sandbach.

Now the lettering on the monument dedicated to Sandbach physician, surgeon and registrar, Charles Lathan, who died in 1907 after serving "a blameless life devoted to the service of his fellows" has been cleaned up.

Williams & Lowe sent two of their memorial stonemasons, Andy Williams and Tom Ablard, to clean up the important town memorial and restore it to its former glory.

Cllr Ann Nevitt with stonemasons Andy Williams (far left) and Tom Ablard (right)

The stonemasons spent nearly three hours cleaning up the lettering and regilding it so the words can be clearly seen and read.

Andy Williams said: "We were only too happy to help. We are aware how important this memorial is to the town and we had the necessary skills and equipment to carry out the work.

"It has cleaned up well and will be good for many years to come, allowing local people to read about this important man and what he did for the town.   

Cllr Nevitt, who is also behind the long-running campaign to extend Sandbach Cemetery, is delighted with their work.

She said: "It used to be in Sandbach Park but was moved to be near the doctor's surgery.

"I remember as a child visiting it and seeing it. It's wonderful that it's now back to its former glory and is available for everyone to read the lettering and learn about his life."

One side says "A true physician", while others say "Beloved of all, a friend of the poor" and "Erected by public subscription to commemorate a blameless life devoted to the service of his fellows".

Records show that Charles Latham, known as "old Dr Latham" was a member of the Royal College of Surgeons and in 1839 he joined the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries, delivering triplets. He was also a noted cricket fan.