HE has dedicated himself to the place he has called home since 1976.

And now community stalwart Nat Binney is taking time out for himself and his wife, Levina, in their homeland.

Mr Binney, who until last year was Chairman of the Bolton African Community Association, has moved back to his birthplace, Ghana.

He came to Bolton at the age of 30 in 1976 to study textiles at what was then Bolton Institute. He then won a place at Leeds University to continue his studies, where he had planned to do his PhD.

But a coup in his homeland put a stop to his plans ­— and left him unable to go back.

He said: "The funds coming for oversees students were seized

"That was the time when things were very tough, I couldn't go back to the Ghana.

"My sister and the twins had to flee Ghana to come to Bolton in 1978."

Mr Binney, now 73, made Bolton his home. He lived in Kendrew Road in Deane, secured a job with Warburtons and became actively involved with the community, which including forming the association and helping families fleeing war torn countries.

Bolton African Community Association was formed in 2003 to initially provide support for people arriving to the UK.

Meetings were held at his house before moving to the Mistry Club in Derby Street. The association was officially recognised in 2004.

The father-of-three said: "That coincided with the refugee gateway project the council always invite us when there are new arrivals.

"We meet them at Victoria Hall and make them feel at home.

Inspired by events at home and his sister's circumstances, who he said was forced to flee for her and her children's lives, he became a governor at Starting Point School, which helps young new international arrivals settle into their new life.

"When it happens you are caught in those circumstances it is very frightening ­— my sister was was terrified she was lucky she was able to escape the oppression, they were lucky to escape," he said.

In 2005, Bolton celebrated its first Black History Month, and it has become a popular annual event.

"The whole programme was very educational, shows what Black people and ethic minority people have done ­— things which we are still enjoying, but their names have been put under the carpet, and Black History Month reveals and bring out those names and acknowledges and honours them," said Mr Binney, who also served as a magistrate for 17 years.

His efforts have been recognised by a number of awards.

Mr Binney said: "Bolton is an excellent place to live I love Bolton because the people are very friendly and helpful, it is an excellent place to raise your children we have been blessed.

"Bolton has been our home and it will still be our home because we have spent more of our life here than in the place we were born.

"We are going to Ghana because we are both retired and felt it was the right time to go and enjoy.

"We will visit our children in the summer to miss the atrocious cold weather. I will miss a lot of good friends here."