PEOPLE can take a step back in time and explore the past following the creation of a new history trail.

Westhoughton Local History Group has created the Westhoughton Town Trail, a colour booklet containing 25 of the town’s historical sites.

The Empire Cinema, haunt of celebrities, and Westhoughton Town Hall feature in the trail, along with less well-known features of the town.

David Kaye, of the history group, said: “I would bet 99 per cent of people who walk past Toymaster, on the corner of Market Street and King Street, have not realised there are sculptures above the shop.

“It’s one of those little hidden gems that people who study Westhoughton’s local history have found out about.

“Westhoughton Town Trail is encouraging people to walk down the street with a fresh pair of eyes and look at things you wouldn’t normally look at.”

Research has revealed that Westhoughton Town Hall was built at a cost of £4,922 in 1902 and Ruabon terracotta bricks from North Wales were used for the external structure as they were said to be the best at withstanding the effects of the smoke and the dust from the local mills and mines.

A drinking fountain, which is now based in Ditchfield Gardens, was placed in memory of the two sons of John Chadwick in 1885, the owner of the silk mill in Church Street.

Frank died, aged 24, after drowning off the Isle of Staffa in the Scottish Highlands and his brother Wyndham died, aged 11, of a fever, the group’s research has found.

The former Empire Cinema was demolished in April after lying empty for 10 years.

The building was visited by famous rock ‘n’ roll stars and American film star Jayne Mansfield in its heyday.

Members of the group will host guided tours of the history trail if there is enough demand.

This latest project follows on from the group’s research into the burning of Westhoughton Mill on April 24, 1812, and the Pretoria Pit disaster on December, 21 1910.

The idea for the booklet came from the group’s committee members, Valerie Chadwick and Ruth Duckworth, who spent months compiling the material for the first in a series of booklets.

Pam Clarke, the group’s president, was responsible for layout and design and Tom Newton included drawings of the historical sites.

The booklet features Market Street and items of interest around the main shopping area of Westhoughton, along with areas such as Wingates, Chequerbent, Daisy Hill and Hart Common.

The 28-page booklet can be bought for £2 from Westhoughton Library or by calling 01942 81206.