A FORMER MP is urging people to attend Wednesday's poignant Pretoria Pit Commemorations.

There will be several services throughout the day to mark the 106th anniversary when 344 men and boys were killed in 1910.

There will be several events during the day, starting at 7.40am at the Pretoria Disaster Centenary Memorial in Ditchfield Garden, Market Street, Westhoughton, with a short service followed by the firing of maroons at 7.50am to mark the exact time of the explosion.

At 10am at the Parish Church of St Bartholomew's opposite the memorial, there will be a remembrance service and laying of wreaths at the Pretoria Pit monument in the churchyard. The services have been organised by Westhoughton Town Council.

At 2pm there will be a commemoration event at the memorial stone and garden on Broadway at the boundary between Atherton and Over Hulton organised by former Bolton West MP, Julie Hilling, and local resident Tony Hogan, who lost his great grandfather, John Austin, in the disaster.

A short service will be led by Canon Bracegirdle with Andrea Finley reading her poem about the tragedy and piper Dougie Cameron will play.

Ms Hilling said: "It is particularly poignant to commemorate the disaster so close to the spot where 106 years ago women and children would have waited for news of their loved ones.

"The names and ages of all of the men and boys who died are inscribed on memorial stones. The youngest was just 13-years-old and so many families lost fathers and sons.

"I hope people will join us to remember this sad day in from our industrial past".

The services have been organised by Westhoughton Town Council.

The Mayors of Bolton and Westhoughton will be attending the ceremony at Broadway and the public are invited to attend all of the events.