THE leader of Bolton Council has praised the owners of the Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre for their work to keep the famous historian's memory alive.

Cllr Cliff Morris made the comment after Leon Powsney announced the museum, based in Fred's former home in Radcliffe Road, The Haulgh, will close in the winter after he and wife Jan could not find a buyer.

After the closure, the home and all its contents, including Fred's tools and machinery, will be sold at auction in the new year.

Cllr Morris said: "The work of Leon and Jan, and their commitment to celebrating the lifetime of work of a great Bolton man, must be commended.

"Fred’s legacy — how he navigated, gave personalities and brought to life the stories of these machines — is something that we have worked hard to keep alive within the borough.

"We have a rich collection of items spanning back prior to the Industrial Revolution, including the landmarks Fred helped maintain."

He added that the council have made sure the celebrity steeplejack is remembered in the Museum.

Anyone who wishes to register an interest in any of the items going up for auction should email freddibnahtours@live.com