DESCENDANTS of the victims were among more than 100 people who paid tribute to the victims on the 95th anniversary of the Pretoria Pit Disaster in Westhoughton.
Pupils from Westhoughton High School, who have staged a play about the disaster, took part in Wednesday's service at St Bartholomew's Church.
On December 21, 1910, 344 men and boys lost their lives in an underground explosion at the Hulton Colliery as the rest of the community was preparing for Christmas. A relief fund was set up for families and dependants and £145,000 was raised. The tragedy has left its mark on the town ever since.
After the service, the Mayor of Westhoughton, Cllr Arthur Price, laid a wreath at the memorial to the disaster in the church grounds.
"It shows what a mark this disaster left on the community that so many people still turn out to remember it all these years later, he said."
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