The "Hand and Dagger" - the family crest of the Clifton Family - Folklore has it that the ownership of the Lytham estate was disputed between two families - the matter was to be decided by "trial by ordeal". Being on the estuary of the River Ribble the two families chose a champion - the trial being won by the champion whose hand first touched a sandbank in the flowing river. Upon the commencement of the trial the Clifton champion drew his dagger, cut off his hand and threw it at the sandbank - winning the trial - hence the crest.
