HUNDREDS turned out today, Sunday, in memory of the Golborne Colliery mining disaster 40 years on.

Residents walked in a commemorative march in tribute to the incident in which an underground explosion on March 18, 1979 took place and led to the deaths of 10 miners.

One miner, Brian Rawsthorne, who lived in Garswood, survived the blast.

A march has been organised every five years since the tragedy to give people the chance to pay their respects to the men who lost their lives.

A procession, led by Golborne Brass Band, gathered outside the Queen Anne pub on Bridge Street and set of at around 2pm.

Members of the clergy followed along with dignitaries such as Wigan borough mayor, Cllr Sue Greensmith, Leigh MP Jo Platt and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.

The procession passed through the town before making its way to St Thomas Church for a packed out service which started at 2.30pm.

Reverend Jonathon Stott led the service which included prayers, readings and performances from Parkside Male Voice Choir and the combined school choirs.

Secretary of Golborne Ex-Miners Eric Foster reserved praise for everyone who made the march possible.

He also paid tribute to Golborne Ex Miners founder Allan Mitchell, who died in December 2017.

A special plaque in dedication to the miners who lost their lives and in memory of Mr Mitchell was unveiled by Brian Rawsthorne.

It was dedicated by Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend Paul Bayes, who also spoke about the dangers that came with being a miner and how they put their lives at risks to earn a living and to ensure the industry carried on working.

The plaque sits next to a memorial window at the church which was dedicated in September 1980