SCHOOLCHILDREN took a trip back in time to make a film called A Day in the Life of a Coal Miner on a trip to Leigh Town Hall.

Leigh St John's CE Primary School pupils were asked to invite their dads and granddads for a tour of Wigan Council's archives, before being allocated a part of a coal miners’ day to research and script.

After basic training from the council’s archives team, the children and their guardians put together animation on an iPad and each sequence was then stitched together to create a 22-minute film.

The pupils also narrated the film, which is a tribute to Leigh's mining heritage, and more than 60 people attended its premier at the Turnpike Gallery.

The aim of the project was to introduce the children to the work that the archives team do and to encourage them to learn new digital skills.

Cllr Jenny Bullen, cabinet member for leisure at the council, said: “Our archives team work tirelessly to ensure that local history is preserved and accessible for all.

"Residents across the whole borough, and especially in Leigh, are very proud of their roots and it is fantastic that we are able to showcase this in a creative way, which appeals to all, while also teaching our young people.”

Wigan Council was supported by North West Film Archive, Leigh Cinema Society and the Turnpike Gallery to deliver the project, which was part-funded by The Deal for Communities Investment Fund.

Leigh St John's CE Primary School received £8,000 from the pot, which will go towards a number of projects to engage with families and children, teaching them new skills and values around food and fitness.

To view the video search for ‘Wigan Museums and Archives’ on YouTube.