THE widow of world-renowned author and playwright Bill Naughton spoke of her delight last night as a vast collection of his work went on public view in Bolton -- the town he loved.

Manuscripts, letters, draft copies of plays and personal memoirs brought from his home in the Isle of Man went on display at Bolton Library following a 12-month project.

Library chiefs secured a £81,500 Lottery Heritage Fund Grant to bring the vast archive to Bolton after Bill Naughton's death in 1992.

Last night his widow, Erna, joined Bolton's Mayor, Cllr Kevan Helsby, and the Mayoress, Mrs Alice Kilcoyne, in opening an exhibition and seminar, allowing Bolton residents a unique insight into the author's life and work.

The archive -- including draft accounts of Bill Naughton's most famous dramatic works, Alfie and Spring and Port Wine -- came to Bolton after Mrs Naughton granted Bolton Library first refusal. She felt it was her husband's wish to have his work returned to his home town.

Happy

Last night she said: "I am very happy that the archive has come to Bolton and I know it is in a very safe place where it can be appreciated.

"Bill was someone who did not like to blow his own trumpet, but he would be very impressed by this.

"It is very nice to be here and I am pleased to see that so many people turned up to look at this collection of work. The Bolton authorities have done him proud. I hope that many people come to see the collection."

Bill Naughton was brought up in Daubhill and was always proud of his roots.

The son of a coal miner whose first job was a coal bagger for the Co-Op in St Helen's Road, much of his later work recorded the gritty realism of northern life, although his best-known work, Alfie, was inspired by the Cockneys he met when he moved to London from Lancashire during the war years.

He wrote his original script of Alfie for radio, but it was later made into a hit film starring a young Michael Caine, and then became a best-selling book.

Earlier this year, the film was re-printed by the British Film Institute as one of four classic British-made films for new generations to enjoy.

In his later years, the Naughtons moved to the Isle of Man, where he died in 1992 following a stroke. But Bolton was still the home of his heart.

The collection includes manuscripts of his autobiographies, plays, novels, short stories and unpublished material. It also includes folders of personal correspondence with the BBC and other actors and writers.

Bolton Lads and Girls Club put on an excellent performance of one of his most famous short stories, The Goalkeepers Revenge, in front of a packed audience last night at Bolton Library.

Ken Beevers, a community librarian at Bolton Library, delivered a talk on Mr Naughton's life and Bolton influences. He said: "Bill put Bolton on the map and we are all proud of him."

And Barry Wood, principal lecturer at Bolton Institute, added: "This collection provides us with an immense opportunity. It indicates the range of work he achieved and opens up a great deal of new work. I am sure that many people in the future will make great use of it."

The archive is now available to the public for research. Plans are also in the pipeline to make the archive available over the Internet.

For more information, contact Bolton Archives and Local Studies Unit on 01204 332185.