A ONCE thriving pit community branded a forgotten village by residents is to benefit for a multi million pound fund to regenerate mining areas.
And residents who describe Bickershaw as "the most deprived area in Wigan borough" believe it is about time that the area received a cash boost.
John Waterworth, vice-chairman of Bickershaw Residents' Association which was formed three years ago to fight for community rights, said: "Bickershaw was once a mining village but now we are the most deprived area in Wigan borough.
"In 1926 there were 12 working pits in this village but we were told two years ago that we did not come into the criteria for coalfield challenge funding."
"I reckon 50 per cent of residents in Bickershaw were involved in mining in some way. If we are not a mining community then I don't know where is."
The Government has now revealed plans for major work on 474 acres of the sprawling Bickershaw Colliery site in a national regeneration programme with a £385 million budget.
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