A historical momument has been targeted by vandals in the latest attack on the well-known landmark.

Two Lad cairn on on Crooked Edge Hill - an outlying summit on Winter Hill- has been damaged after yobs smashed up the rocks.

Walkers said they say the structure was 'broken at the top' with the rocks scattered on the ground.

Now the Woodland Trust is exploring new ways of protecting the structure, the history of which remains shrouded in mystery.

The Bolton News: Two Lads cairn, Smithills Estate (Picture Tony Greenwood)Two Lads cairn, Smithills Estate (Picture Tony Greenwood)

Plans to restore Two Lads cairn, Rivington following vandalism

Following the damage which was inflicted the group has said it will look at new ways to protect the spot in the long term while preserving it appeal.

Nick Haigh, Smithills Estate Manager for the Woodland Trust, said: “We are aware that the Two Lads cairn, a much-loved local feature on the Smithills Estate, has been damaged.  

“Unfortunately, the structure has been damaged and rebuilt several times over the years.  

"We are looking at the best way to look after the cairn longer term to preserve its cultural and historical appeal.”

The tower of rocks is said to be a memorial to two young men who died after getting stuck on the hills.

Some also believe it may be an ancient burial mound.

The cairn is a navigation point point for hillwalkers in the outdoor spot.

The hill in question is 389 metres high and located around two kilometres away from Rivington Pike.

The area was targeted by vandals twice in 2020.

In March that year stones at the top of the hill were pulled apart.

And in July the structure was ripped apart by vandals.

After the second incident dry stone wall techniques were used to try and ensure the structure was more stable and less vulnerable to criminality.

According to the About Rivington website there are a couple of local “legends” featuring the Two Lads.

The first is that “two lads” where stuck on the moor and froze to death on the site currently marked by the large cairn. 

Another relates to two princes of a Saxon king dies on the moor and another relates tolost lads who were the sons of a Bishop around 1540 CE. The story that was often told in Bolton was that the two lads where children working in a mill over the Belmont side of the hill that were forced to walk back from work each day over the moors.

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