St Helens () is a large town and the administrative seat of the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens in Merseyside, England. The town was incorporated as a Municipal Borough in 1868, responsible for the administration of the four townships and manors of Eccleston, Parr, Sutton and Windle. In 1887 this role was expanded to a County Borough, which was superseded in 1974 by the larger Metropolitan Borough. The town and greater area are notable for the construction of the St. Helens sections of the Sankey Canal and also the first competition for steam locomotives at the Rainhill Trials.