HUNDREDS of people gathered in Westhoughton yesterday — braving the snow and freezing temperatures — to watch the unveiling of a memorial statue for the 100th anniversary of Britain’s third worst mining disaster.

Descendants of the victims joined dignitaries, Westhoughton residents and members of the town’s churches for the ceremony in Dicthfield Gardens, Market Street.

Sculptress Jane Robbins, who created the Fred Dibnah statue in Bolton town centre, was commissioned by Westhoughton Town Council to create the bronze monument for the anniversary of the disaster.

She said: “I hope the statue will be a huge mark of respect for the bravery of the victims.

“The pose of the miner in bronze is a respectful one.

“He is sitting back reflecting on the loss or life and I purposely didn't sculpt him holding his pick in his hand.

“It symbolises his laying down of tools as a mark of respect for his fellow miners who gave their life doing such a brave job.

“The statue will keep names and memories alive, and the people of the area, and hopefully further afield, will have a permanent reminder of the sacrifice they made.”

Mrs Robbins added: “It’s always great to be asked to create a sculpture, but to create something so important to the people of Westhoughton and Lancashire has meant a lot to me.

“They have trusted me with such a serious job so it’s quite nerve-wracking as I always want people to like my work, but I also knew how significant this memorial is.”

The Pretoria Pit disaster at Hulton Colliery Bank pits three and four, on the outskirts of Westhoughton, killed 344 men and boys on Wednesday, December 21, 1910.

Almost every family in the town knew someone who perished in the blast, which occurred at 7.50am.

People came from far and wide to see the statue unveiled as part of a service led by the Mayor of Westhoughton, Cllr Brian Clare, two days before the centenary anniversary.

Mary Dill, aged 88, came from Arkansas in Oklahoma, America, to see the memorial.

She said: “Richard Byers was my grandfather, he was a photographer in Westhoughton and his son was Fountain Byers, a Wingates Band member who died in the disaster.

“I have been talking about this anniversary for years and my two daughters have brought me over. “It’s wonderful to be here, especially because my girls were born in Warrington and I have cousins in Wigan.”

Mrs Dill moved to America with her husband in 1946 and this is only the second time she has returned to the UK.

Local artist Tom Newton’s uncle John was only 10 years old when he lost his dad and three brothers in the blast.

Mr Newton, of Park Road, Westhoughton, said: “My uncle John used to say to me at Christmas time they had four coffins in their house.

“You can’t imagine the grief of that.

“The memorial statue is an absolutely fantastic tribute to those who died and their families.”

The Rev Gary Lawson conducted a moving service and Wingates Band played songs, including Handel’s Dead March, which was played at the funerals of the victims 100 years ago.

Mrs Robbins, aged 48, worked eight hours a day for several weeks to create the sculpture from clay.

It was turned into a bronze cast at a foundry in Shropshire, where she lives.

Bolton stonemason Ian Powis erected a granite backdrop for the statue with the inscription of the 344 victims’ names.

Mrs Robbins said: “This memorial to the miners who died in the Pretoria Pit disaster is the most serious piece I have created.

“The job of creating a lasting legacy is a responsibility to all the people who were affected and to the future families who will look at it and remember the loss of life on that day.”

Bolton West MP Julie Hilling said: “It’s a very emotional day for the community and so important that we remember the miners who died and recognise the importance of the mining industry.

“I am so proud of the community for what it has done to make the Pretoria Pit disaster centenary so special.”

Å Tomorrow, the centenary will be marked with the unveiling of a mural by local artist Andrew Smith in Westhoughton's Carnegie Hall. At 2.30pm MP Julie Hilling and members of the community will meet at Broadway, off Newbrook Road, Atherton, where nearby woodlands will be renamed Pretoria Memorial Park.

A requiem mass will be held at Sacred Heart RC Church, Westhoughton, tomorrow evening