MUSICIAN Tim Stothert is keen to unearth stories or photographs relating to the days when his grandfather, Max Stothert ran two famous dance bands as well as a soft drinks and pharmaceuticals works in Atherton.

Tim, who lives in Silverdale, near Carforth, also has his own dance band and plays the saxophone that his late grandfather, Max, used in the 1940s and 50s.

Max's factory, 'Stotherts' of Bag Lane, Atherton, was renowned but the boss was also well known for his two dance bands - Max and his Merry Men and the Nightowls.

"I have a dance band - The Lancaster Salon Orchestra - which varies between two players and six or seven players and it is named after Max Stothert's other band called the 'Atherton Salon Orchestra' from the same period," Tim told the Journal.

"I play my grandfather's original sax. Most of those who played in his bands worked in his factory, that was part of his reason for employing them!

"I wonder if any of your readers has any memories or photographs from those days?"

*If you can help write to The Editor, Leigh, Tyldesley & Atherton Journal, 44-46 Railway Road, Leigh, WN7 4AT or email bgomm@leighjournal.co.uk