A LEGENDARY Leigh band have praised residents for going along to their annual charity gig in the town on Saturday and helping to raise £700 for hospice patients.

Popular 1960s band The Pressmen have performed a show in aid of Wigan and Leigh Hospice every year since reforming in 1997.

More than 170 people turned up to the Leigh Miners Welfare Institute gig at the weekend, with some travelling from as far afield as Ireland, the Isle of Man and Cornwall.

Drummer and singer Tony Owens, 69, said: “It was a great night with many Leigh 'exiles' making the trip home for the show.

“There are lots of reports of folk meeting up with friends they had not seen for years and we raised around £700, which is brilliant.

"We thank everyone for their help.

“A special mention must go to Gary Woodward and his wife for helping to organise everything as well as to The Coffee Stop at Railway Road and Butterflies on Bradshawgate for selling tickets.”

The band, who appeared at famous venues including The Cavern in Liverpool, originally went by the name The Silhouettes.

They changed it to The Pressmen in 1962.

Ex-Twisted Wheel and Beachcomber Leigh DJ Bobby Dee supported the band at Saturday's gig.