WHEN artist Andy Smith was asked to create a mural to mark the centenary of the region’s worst mining disaster, he was unaware of his poignant connection to the tragedy.

On December 21, 1910, 344 men and boys were killed in an explosion at the Pretoria pit, on the outskirts of Westhoughton.

Members of the town’s local history group are marking the 100th anniversary of the disaster by commissioning local artist Mr Smith, from Daisy Hill, to paint a 30ft mural at Westhoughton Library which illustrates the scene at the pit head on the morning of the disaster.

But it was only when he began his research for the project he discovered one of the miners who lost his life had lived in his house, where his studio is also based.

Mr Smith said: “I went to the library to do some research. There were copies of death certificates, and the first one I found was a copy from a guy who lived in my house.

“He was called Andrew Lowe and aged just 23. I found some his descendents who still live near me.

“They told me the story of what happened to him. Andrew’s mum actually went to the pit head twice to try to identify the body but wasn’t able to.

“Then, she was at home and noticed two odd socks above the fire.

“She went back and found a corresponding pair. That is how she was able to identify him.”

Westhoughton Local History Group has raised thousands of pounds for the painting. Among those who have contributed are UK Coal, local demolition firm Walter Forshaw, and Westhoughton-born former footballer Francis Lee, as well as an anonymous donation of £1,000.

The group’s chairman, Pam Clarke, said: “The Pretoria disaster has always been significant in Westhoughton. It was a terrible disaster.

“Children today don’t even know what coal or coal mines are. This picture, showing the chaos and pandemonium, will hopefully teach them about the disaster.”

The painting will be unveiled on December 21 next year, on the 100th anniversary of the disaster.

Westhoughton Town Council has also funded a memorial statue to remember the disaster, which will be erected in Ditchfield Gardens, in the town centre.

lucy.ewing@theboltonnews.co.uk