PLANS have been submitted that could see large scale work done to make the "unstable" face of a Horwich quarry safe.

A meeting of Horwich Town Council heard that re-profiling work needs to be done to the North Eastern face of Montcliffe Quarry, off Georges Lane, in order to stop it posing a danger to people.

The health and safety concerns were identified in a quarry regulations report.

The site is owned by Armstrong Aggregates, the largest privately owned quarrying company in the north west of England.

The firm also runs the adjacent Pilkington Quarry, as well as a recycling business on the former Horwich Loco Works site in Chorley New Road and states that the issues with the north-eastern face arose before it assumed control of the quarry in 2010.

The meeting heard from Armstrong's agents, The Mineral Planning Group, who outlined a plan to create five stabilising benches in the sandstone at different levels in the quarry.

The re-profiling project could last up until 2024.

Horwich town councillors agreed that there was a need for the work to be done and recommended that the plans should be approved when they come before Bolton Council's planning committee.

Cllr Joyce Kellet said: "I actually think this is going to be a lovely area when it is finished."