The forgotten grave of a police officer who was killed on duty 120 years ago was today be marked with a headstone for the first time.

Police Constable James Gordon, 26, was attacked with iron bars as he stopped a gang of men breaking into a boiler works factory in St Helens, Merseyside, in 1893.

Although his death is listed in official police records, his grave at St Helens Cemetery was left unmarked.

But 120 years later Brenda Neary, a former Merseyside police officer and volunteer at the cemetery, has been able to track down his resting place.

The Police Roll of Honour Trust has commissioned a specially engraved headstone to be erected on the grave at a ceremony to mark the anniversary of the Scotsman's death,  attended by Assistant Chief Constable of Merseyside Police Ian Pilling.

Other dignatories present included Peter Singleton, chairman of Merseyside Police Federation, and Geraldine Winner, the widow of Michael Winner who set up the Police Memorial Trust following the death of Pc Yvonne Fletcher who was shot outside the Libyan embassy in London in 1984.

Steve Lloyd, the trust manager of The Police Roll of Honour Trust, said: "Although Pc Gordon's name and sacrifice is well recorded by The Police Roll of Honour Trust I am sad to say that this brave young officer has lain in an unmarked grave since his death.

"As this is the 120th anniversary of Pc Gordon's death the Police Roll of Honour Trust believe it is both right and fitting that we mark the service and sacrifice of this local forgotten hero.

"Our motto is 'Lest we forget'. I hope this will prove that those are not just empty words."