BOLTON’s sporting greats including Nat Lofthouse were honoured at a pop-up museum.

The Crompton’s Champions exhibition, held at Crompton Place shopping centre over the weekend, celebrated some of the town’s favourite sons, as well as stories of how their success made an impact on people in the borough.

Residents were invited to offer their memories and memorabilia to add to the exhibition, and several responded.

Among the mementos on show on Saturday and Sunday were pictures of Norman Bamford, aged 74, from Tonge Moor, with several of Bolton’s sporting icons.

His prized collection includes a picture with Wanderers legend Lofthouse in 1958, after Mr Bamford was presented with £50 for winning a quiz at the town’s former Grand Theatre, which he managed to get signed by the star years later.

Other items of Mr Bamford’s included a picture with Amir Khan and his grandson, as well as a signed photo of Olympic champion cyclist Jason Kenny.

The exhibition also included a range of stories about sporting stars from Bolton, including Wanderers legend Francis Lee and World Cup winning footballer Alan Ball.

Video footage of some of Nat Lofthouse’s most famous moments were also relayed on a screen.

Shoppers were invited in to learn about these icons, as well as take part in fun games including table football, riding a bicycle to power a set of flashing lights, and go toe-to-toe in a mini boxing ring.

Among those who enjoyed the day was Linda Murombe, with her nine-year-old son Ralph, and four-year-old daughter Tanya, both pupils at Ladybridge Primary School.

They both donned oversized boxing shorts and gloves and showed sibling rivalry is alive and well.

Ralph, a Wanderers fan, said: “It was great. We had a lot of fun and I got to meet Lofty.”