THIS interesting montage - mounted on a large piece of cardboard - is puzzling reader John Rutter.

Mr Rutter, who lives in Wigan Road, Westhoughton, came across it when he was disposing of bits and pieces from his parents' Wingates home.

His mother, who was Elizabeth Roberts before she married, worked at Lostock Junction Mills in Heaton Road.

He presumes that she must have kept this item as a keepsake after the mills closed in 1971.

It shows Mr J. R. Heaton in the centre surrounded by young men who look as though they were apprentices.

No 1 mill was built in 1860 by Thomas and Joseph Heaton and taken over by William Heaton in 1884.

No 2 mill was built in 1900.

William Heaton & Sons later became Crosses & Heatons Ltd.

After the mills were demolished the site was developed for housing.

Mr Rutter wonders if any readers know anything about the history of the picture.

"Maybe someone's ancestor is one of the young men in the picture," he suggests.