A PAIR of mysterious terracotta figures sipping beer are among the hidden treasures of Bolton.

These almost lifesize figures could be related to the town's former brewery, Magee Marshall and Co, and are the latest in our Hidden Treasures series.

They are part of the vast array of works of art and historical artefacts which staff at Bolton Museum and Art Gallery do not have room to display.

But staff want to emphasise that these hidden treasures can be viewed by appointment.

They were bought in 1981 from a dealer called Mr Penkeghman, in Altrincham, by former museum keeper of social history Chris Driver, and have been sitting in storage while staff tried to find out more about them.

They were made by Orr and Morris, whose works were sited near Radcliffe Bridge station, Bolton. The works operated between 1870 and 1891.

Daniel Smith, current keeper of social history at the museum, said: "The terracotta figures, or The Drinkers', are possibly connected to the Bolton brewers Magee Marshall, or another local brewery. This is hearsay, but they do seem to be drinking beer.

"They may have been painted as it appears that the paint has been removed at some stage.

"I would like to know more about them and, ultimately, I would love to put them on show if I had the space.

"As well as the terracotta drinkers, Bolton also had a terracotta church St. Stephen and All Martyrs, Darcy Lever known locally as the pot church'.

"The church was built between 1842 and 1844 and was probably the first church in Britain to be built entirely out of terracotta now there are believed to be three others in the country.

"The church is still there but the spire was removed in 1939 because it was unsafe.

"The finished church cost less than £3,000 which was remarkably cheap when it would have cost that amount alone for a comparable stone spire."

Anyone with information about the terracotta figures can contact Mr Smith at the museum on 01204 332211.