A FORMER Leigh woman is planning a campaign for a lasting monument to miners on the derelict Bickershaw Colliery site.

Mary Sayers wants to see a heritage centre built at Plank Lane in memory of the men who worked and died down the pit during its 125 year history.

On a recent return to Leigh after a long absence Mary, who lives in Buxton, was shocked to discover that there is no lasting tribute to the colliers who kept Bickershaw alive.

She said: "It is an insult to the memory of those who died in accidents there. Not only is there no memorial but the whole site has been razed to the ground.

"It seems wrong and indeed foolish and shortsighted that the site could not have been transformed into a heritage centre which would preserve memories of the time and the people, as well as providing much-needed jobs.

"I have a lot of family connections with mining, my father worked at Bickershaw all his life, and died there, of natural causes, in 1972. My maternal grandfather was company secretary to Ackers Whitley and my paternal grandfather, Peter Gore, ran the grocer's shop on Plank Lane.

"It is shocking to think that there are those who seem to care little about commemorating the sacrifices of mining communities. Can nothing be done to ensure that Bickershaw Colliery and those who worked there are commemorated with dignity and respect?"

If anyone is willing to lend support to a campaign they should contact Mary at Hargate Lodge, Wormhill, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 8SJ, or by email at hca00mms@shef.ac.uk.