THE Wilfred Owen Story has received the Wirral Horn Award for its 'outstanding' contribution to local heritage.

Opening eight years ago, the museum is the UK's only permanent exhibition dedicated to the war poet.

Presenting the award was chairman of Wirral History and Heritage Association Paul Smith said that the honour was 'very well deserved' and was in recognition of The Wilfred Owen Story's commemoration of the poet's formative years spent in Birkenhead.

Wilfred Owen moved to Birkenhead with his family in 1897 where his father Thomas was temporarily employed before being transferred to Shrewsbury just a few months later.

In 1898, Thomas transferred back to Birkenhead and became stationmaster at Woodside railway station. The family lived with him in Tranmere before moving back to Shrewsbury in 1907.

On October 21, 1915 he enlisted in the British Army.

Owen was killed in action on November 4, 1918 during the battle to cross the Sambre-Oise canal at Ors, just one week before peace was declared. His family received the telegram informing them of his death on Armistice Day.

Wirral Horn Award presented to The Wilfred Owen Story

The museum’s founder Dean Johnson said: “I am so proud to receive the Wirral Horn Award, and it is a wonderful recognition of the dedication of our volunteers.

“During the recent Wilfred Owen 100 Festival, The Wilfred Owen Story became the natural information and resource hub for many of the events taking part.

"When we opened 8 years ago, Owen's heritage in Wirral was not celebrated to any level at all, I am very proud to think we have helped a little in his increased prominence now, and as a pupil of the Birkenhead Institute, I never thought one day I would be awarded for helping to keep our most famous old boy's legacy alive.”