THE centenary will be celebrated later this year of an event which opened up some of Bolton's most beautiful moorland to the public.

It will be 100 years on September 6 since the mass trespass on Smithills Moor.

Now council leisure chiefs are preparing a programme of events to mark the occasion.

The mass trespass took place after the then owner of Smithills Hall, Colonel Ainsworth, closed off a section of road to preserve his privacy and protect his game reserves.

A demonstration was organised by the Social Democratic Federation and the Bolton Socialist Party.

Around 10,000 people marched up Halliwell Road, Smithills Dean Road to Coalpit Road, where they broke down a gate and marched over to Belmont.

It was one of the largest mass trespasses in British history.

Events being considered to mark the centenary include unveiling a plaque, a "fun day" at Smithills Hall, and a walk from Halliwell to Winter Hill along the route of the original march.

John Shepley, Bolton's head of landscapes and amenities, said in a report which will be presented to councillors on Monday: "The event is hoped to be of high profile, attracting local, regional and national media attention."

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