IT could have been a scene from the 1920s. Passers-by looked on in amazement as a steam crane was brought in to help to move a part of Bolton's industrial history to a new home.

Two cast-iron pillars that proudly stood as a testament to the town's industrial might for more than 160 years were on the move to Bolton Steam Museum.

Since1833, they had formed part of the gateway to the Soho Iron Works of the Hick Hargreaves engineering factory in Cork Street.

The firm built steam engines on the site, so it was fitting that steam power was enlisted to complete the pillars' move to the museum at Atlas Mills off Chorley Old Road.

The steam crane, known as the Wolverhampton Wanderer and dating from 1929, came up from the Midlands especially for the operation. It is one a few of its type still in working order.

It brought traffic to a standstill as it transported the pillars through the town at snail's pace.

The steam crane, weighing 21 tons, is owned by steam enthusiast Len Crane, a friend of Bolton steeplejack Fred Dibnah, who was on hand to help direct operations.

The Northern Mill Engine Society has been developing the steam museum for several years. Officials hope the pillars will one day be placed outside the museum entrance.

John Phillip, secretary of the society, said: "It is particularly apt that we have the pillars because Hick Hargreaves were such prominent builders of steam engines."

The old Hick Hargreaves site is now being developed for a new Sainsbury's supermarket by Miller Consruction and Kiernan Construction.

Dr Phillip Pilling, Hick Hargreaves unofficial historian, said: "It would have been a crying shame if these pillars had been destroyed. One day we hope they will become part of a grand gateway into the museum."

The museum has one dilmemma however. It wanted to take Hick Hargreave's flag pole but when workers tried to load it onto a lorry they found the pole was too long.

Dr Pilling said: "If anyone can help us move the flag pole, we'd love to hear from them."