PRIME Minister Margaret Thatcher was busy with the Falklands war in June, 1982.

But the catastrophic threat to close the loco works was the big story in Horwich.

The town which had prospered through locomotive production since 1884 was suddenly facing a grim future.

MPs, councillors, unions and the whole town united behind a campaign to save the famous old works.

One aspect worth remembering is the 206-mile relay run to Downing Street which was completed by 10 works employees wearing black "Save Horwich Works" vests.

Pete Schofield, secretary of Horwich Harriers at the time, was initially asked to organise a sponsored run round Horwich to support the fight.

But he decided instead that it would be a better idea to run to London with a petition containing thousands of signatures and present it to Mrs T.

"We all worked at the Works and we all ran at dinner time," Pete said. "The experience was brilliant."

He is now 61 and lives in Victoria Road, Horwich.

The 18-hour run - backed by supporters in two mini-buses who provided provisions and rest facilities - had an enthusiastic start in Horwich. The runners were joined for the first few miles by well-wishers including Bolton comedian Stu Francis, Bolton Harriers secretary Vince Regan and Wanderers player Paul Jones.

Pupils from local schools lined the pavements as they ran past, and they were cheered on by workers at the British Aerospace factory.

When the runners arrived in Downing Street, they found it was cordoned off because of the Falklands crisis.

Pete joined up with Westhoughton Labour MP Roger Stott to take the petition into Number 10.

"A policeman produced my photograph," Pete said. "I asked him where he had got that and he said it came from MI6 - I was the leader of a protest against Her Majesty's Government."

For all Pete knows, he is still on the list.

He and Mr Stott, who later represented Wigan and died in 1999, were admitted by a butler and told that Mrs Thatcher, who sent her apologies, was fully occupied by the Falklands war in the back room.

They delivered a letter - signed by TS Lloyd JP on behalf of the Horwich Works and local departmental committees - which called on Mrs Thatcher to make a personal intervention to save 2,000 jobs and avert "grave social and economic consequences" for the Horwich community.

They also left her a book about Horwich.

"The works was meant to close in 1982, but it stayed open for another 12 months," Pete said. "I think the run helped delay the end."

Pictures

right - And they're off: This was the scene at the start of the relay run to London on June 2, 1982.

left - Visiting the Iron Lady: Pete Schofield and Roger Stott were photographed outside Number 10 Downing Street just before delivering the petition to Mrs Thatcher.

bottom - From Horwich to Whitehall: Runners and supporters were pictured at the end of the journey. Pete Schofield is the second runner from the right and the others were Rickie Hoyle, John Reade, Keith Lancaster, Len Kay, Mickie Atherton, Mick Greenhaulgh, Steve Crimes, Barry Horrobin and Paul Brownlee.