ONE of Westhoughton's best-loved sons has been honoured in a hall of fame for local sporting legends.

A portrait of the late Wanderers' star, Tom Woodward, has been hung in the town's library alongside other sporting heroes, such as Francis Lee.

It was commissioned by town councillor Brian Clare and was painted by artist and fellow Wanderers fan Ray White.

Tom's widow, Alice, was asked to unveil it as a surprise for her 84th birthday and was helped by another Wanderers legend, Roy Hartle.

Alice said: "I didn't realise I'd be asked to unveil the painting when I arrived at the library. It had been painted without my knowing and it was a lovely surprise.

"There were a lot of people there. It was so nice for Roy to come along as well. Tom would have loved it. It was a perfect tribute."

Right-winger Tom was born and brought up in Westhoughton and played for White Horse Temperance as a youngster. He was signed by the Wanderers in 1935 and made 169 appearances for the club before he transferred to Middlesbrough in 1949.

He finished his career at Wigan Athletic and took up a job at the De Havilland works in Horwich.

Alice had another historic task to perform.

She gave library staff a time capsule that was discovered when the Wingates Independent Methodist Chapel was demolished. It contained newspapers and other artefacts from when the church's foundation stone was laid in 1871.

Alice, who was the church's president, handed it over to librarians who will catalogue the contents before putting them on display.

His former Wanderers team mate paid tribute to him after Alice unveiled the painting. Roy described Tom, who died eight years ago, as a real gentleman who never had a bad word to say about anyone.