THE signs welcoming people to Horwich have been replaced and now feature a design paying tribute to the town's heritage.

The boards recently replaced their 'old and weathered' predecessors and are situated in six locations on the town's boundary.

The signs recognise the importance of the Loco Works to the town with a picture of the 1008 locomotive, which was built by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway at the Loco Works in 1889.

It also includes an image of Rivington Pike, which overlooks the town.

And instead of carrying the familiar 'welcome to Horwich - please drive carefully' message it now includes the phrase 'welcome to Horwich — historic railway town'.

Cllr Steven Chadwick, who was on Horwich Town Council's civic signs committee, said: "I think the design looks really nice and it is good to honour our railway heritage with the Loco Works.

"This was the final design that the town council and now we have something welcoming people into the town.

"It was a result of amazing work by everyone on the signs committee and Horwich Town Council.

"It is great to see those weathered, old signs replaced by something a bit nicer and more colourful.

The signs are in Chorley Old Road opposite Blundell Arms, Chorley New Road opposite the Golf Club, Crown Lane past the motorway bridge, De Havilland Way, Scholes Bank. and Lever Park Avenue.