THIS photograph was taken in 1939 — just after the start of World War Two according to our records here at the Bolton News.

It shows the felling of a 130ft high chimney at "Bottom Factory" in Breightmet.

The chimney had been built in 1854 and it weighed about 250 tons. It had not been used for many years.

Apparently "Bottom Factory" was Oakenbottom Mill which was in Oakenbottom Road and it was built and run by William Hampson and Son until, in the 1920s, it became Oak Winding Company Limited.

Clearly this particular business was not as successful as had been hoped because, in 1950, it is listed as being occupied by Farnworth Engine Waste Company Limited which was a cleaning materials' manufacturer and also Frederick Shorrock who made sponge cloths.

A further 10 years on and the building was occupied by Wipers (Bolton) Limited and in 1979 the mill was destroyed by fire and Tonge Paints and Lance Dickinson Limited (scrap metal merchants) and multiple industrial uses occupied the outbuildings.