WORK, REST AND PRAY ...

RELIGIOUS SUPPLIES COMPANY READY FOR BUSIEST TIME - AND IT'S NOT XMAS

- JESS MOLYNEUX

A MERSEYSIDE factory which started from humble beginnings nearky 150 years ago is about to have its busiest time of year.

Since the late 1960s, Hayes & Finch, manufacturers of church supplies and candles, have called Hanson Road in Aintree home - but their history goes back much further.

William Hayes and James Finch set up business in Old Leeds Street in the city centre in 1882, moving to Vernon Street by 1905 and then Aintree in 1969.

Managing director Andrew Ware, 53, joined the business as a cabinet maker nearly 36 years ago.

Andrew, from Bootle, said: "The Finch family were a Liverpool Catholic family. The business wasn't actually started to make candles - it was to make soap.

"Making soap and making candles were the same process so they shifted their focus to make candles for churches."

Andrew said: "Originally there wasn't a lot of competition, so the business grew really rapidly.