A GARAGE in Bromley Cross harboured a classic work of art worth tens of thousands of pounds.

The painting in question was donated to Tyldesley Rugby Union Football Club by renowned artist Roger Hampson in 1966.

But it ended up in member Mr Terry Alexander's garage for two months this summer when the club house had to be rebuilt -- because surrounding galleries did not have the exhibition space available for it.

He said: "The mural is split into three pieces. We had to carry each piece across the fields into the garage. It worried me having it here because it must be worth thousands and thousands of pounds."

Roger Hampson, from Tyldesley, has become a highly collectable artist.

His work is similar in style to Lowry and since his death, the value of his work has rocketed.

Princess Margaret is among those who have a Hampson painting.

The artist donated the mural to the rugby club in 1966. Members gave it its name, Owd Bongs.

Mr Alexander said: "Bongs is the old name for Tyldesley. Roger never officially named the picture. All it carries is his signature in the corner.

"It seemed the perfect name because it is representative of life in Tyldesley in the early 1960s.

"When I started playing for Tyldesley Rugby Club in 1952 there were five coal mines and seven cotton mills in the area. These are all shown in the mural. So while sadly, they are now all gone, they do live on in Roger's paintings.

"The mural is probably Roger Hampson's largest work. It was removed from the club house in May prior to the building's demolition.

"Since the new club house on St George's Park was not due for completion until the end of August we did offer the picture to The Lowry, Salford Art Gallery, The Turnpike Gallery in Leigh and to the Robin Park Gallery in Wigan but all gave the same reply -- 'Sorry but our exhibition space is booked up months in advance'. Unfortunate, but their loss.

"That is how the mural ended up in my garage in Bromley Cross for two months. I cleaned it, and then Peter Sunderland a friend from Rochdale Rugby Union Club, and well-known artist in his own right, restored it.

"At the end of August the mural was collected by Phillip Mather of Scantech Packaging Ltd of The Valley Industrial Estate, who mounted it, framed it and hung it in the new club house.

"These gentlemen gave their time, expertise and expenses to Tyldesley Rugby Club because they said it was an honour to help restore such a monumental work to its former glory.

"We feel that we hold the mural in trust for Roger's memory."

Now back in its rightful place, the rugby club is happy for anyone interested to see the mural, to visit the new club house at St George's Park, Astley Street, Tyldesley.