A MINING disaster has been captured in a booklet to mark its 40th anniversary.

An underground explosion at Golborne Colliery on March 18, 1979, led to the deaths of 10 miners.

Golborne Ex-Miners have now published an 84-page booklet which includes details of the fatal incident including the rescue and the commemorative events since.

The majority of the content includes recollections of those who were there on the day, such as the one survivor Brian Rawsthorne, who was aged 20 at the time. Heartfelt memories of the families of those who died are also covered.

Teenagers had to take over organising funeral arrangements, while many under 12, were not allowed to attend.

Despite these sad memories, the families have positive accounts of support from mining colleagues, relatives, vicars, the unions and their communities.

Leigh Journal:

Brian Rawsthorne and his wife Jane with the panel he unveiled to mark the 40th anniversary of the mining disaster

Secretary and treasurer of the Ex-Miners, Eric Foster, said: “The commemoration clearly demonstrates how our community keeps the memory in their hearts.

“Our children, grandchildren and those who follow us when reading this work, will be able to have some understanding of what their ancestors felt and remembered.”

Golborne Ex-Miners are selling the booklet at £4 to cover the cost of production.

The booklet will be available directly from the Ex-Miners, but also borough libraries and the Museum of Wigan Life.

Former councillor Andrew Bullen has been instrumental in putting it together.

A 40th anniversary march which took place this year was partly funded by badges that were sold across the world.

A Golborne Colliery Ex-Miners and Families Facebook page was set up last year.