HERE is a great picture which dates back to the time of the 'general strike' of 1926.

The photograph, which we found in the local archives, shows a miners' strike meeting outside Miners' Hall in Tyldesley.

The general strike lasted nine days, from May 4 to May 12, 1926.

It was called by the General Council of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in an unsuccessful attempt to force the British government to act to prevent wage reductions and worsening conditions for 1.2 million locked-out coal miners. In total, around 1.7 million workers went out on strike, especially in transport and heavy industry.

Many of those striking in the country were not miners and not directly affected by the wage reduction, but took the action to support the miner who rejected the decreases and who wanted better working conditions.

The government enlisted middle class volunteers to maintain essential services. There was little violence during the general strike and the TUC gave up in defeat.

Send us your old pictures to newsdesk@leighjournal.co.uk.

To view pictures from the Wigan and Leigh Archives and Local Studies collection which features photographs visit archives.wigan.gov.uk.