Plaque to honour town's Nuremberg trials prosecutor

Sir Hartley Shawcross' son Sir William Shawcross and daughter Dr Joanna Shawcross at the unveiling

A former MP who played a major role in bringing Nazi war criminals to justice has been honoured in his town.

Lord Hartley Shawcross, who died in 2003 aged 101, was elected as Labour member for St Helens in 1945 and represented the area for thirteen years.

A blue plaque has been unveiled in recognition of his role as Britain's lead prosecutor in the Nuremberg Trials.

The plaque was unveiled at a special ceremony at St Helens Town Hall as part of an annual Holocaust Memorial Day event.

Lord Hartley Shawcross speaks to the BBC in 1960

Lord Shawcross's son Sir William Shawcross, who attended the unveiling along with representatives from the council and the deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside, said his father had played "a hugely important role in history".

"I think he realised it was a crucial part of his life, perhaps the most important part of his life, to bring to justice the criminals who had committed such appalling atrocities, waging aggressive war throughout the world and committing the atrocious crime of murdering six million Jews," he said.

Lord Shawcross's daughter, Dr Joanna Shawcross, said the family was "incredibly proud" and "incredibly moved" by the honour.

The blue plaque is the third to be unveiled by St Helens Borough Council as part of an initiative to honour and acknowledge individuals, places and events that have contributed to the heritage of the borough.