This afternoon, members of the public gathered to attend the Pretoria Pit Commemoration event. This annual event is held to remember the 344 men and boys that were killed in Pretoria Colliery on 21st December, 1910.

The Pretoria Pit Disaster was the worst coal mining accident to have occurred in Lancashire, and the third worst mining disaster in British history.

The memorial stone is just outside of Jo Platt’s constituency of Leigh and Atherton, but Jo felt it was important to visit to pay her respects and to lay flowers in memory of those that lost their lives.

This event was organised by Bolton West’s former MP – Julie Hilling – alongside local resident Tony.

Councillors Lee McStein and John Harding and Phil Brickell – the MP for Bolton West – were also in attendance.