SALE is set to honour one of its most famous sons George Mottershead the founder of Chester Zoo.

The story of how Mr Mottershead set up the zoo was featured recently in Our Zoo which charts his dream of a 'zoo without bars' for all to enjoy.

Trafford Council will commemorate Mr Mottershead’s life and recognise his ground-breaking achievements, by unveiling a blue plaque in his memory on Friday, (October 10), at 11.30am in Sale Moor.

George’s daughter June Williams who worked alongside her father to establish the zoo, will be there to carry out the unveiling along with the Mayor of Trafford, Cllr Ejaz Malik.

The ‘Our Heroes’ exhibition which is currently on display at Sale Waterside Arts Centre also celebrates and remembers George Mottershead for his pioneering and enterprising spirit and his bravery during World War one.

Cllr Malik said: “It is an honour to celebrate and commemorate the life of such an important Trafford resident. His vision, determination and achievements are inspirational and the placing of a blue plaque where he was born will keep his memory and achievements alive for generations to come.”

George Saul Mottershead, was born at Lindow Terrace (now Lindow Street), on June 12, 1894, to parents Lucy and Albert, a nurseryman.

By 1901 the family was living at Old Hall Road, Sale Moor, and then in 1912/13 moved around the corner to Northenden Road.

In 1920, George, his wife Elizabeth, their three-year-old daughter Muriel, and George's parents left Sale.

They moved to a farm cottage in Shavington, near Crewe. George opened a small zoo here.

The zoo eventually established in the 1930s had a global reputation for its conservation, educational and environmental work while George earned national and international recognition, including the OBE in 1973, five years before his death aged 83.