Leigh, Greater Manchester, England, WN7 1

About Leigh

Leigh (pop. 43,000) is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, in Greater Manchester, England. It is 7.7 miles (12 km) southeast of Wigan, and 9.5 miles (15.3 km) west of Manchester city centre. Leigh is situated on low lying land to the north west of Chat Moss.

Historically a part of Lancashire, Leigh was originally the centre of a large ecclesiastical parish covering six vills or townships. When the three townships of Pennington, Westleigh and Bedford merged in 1875 forming the Leigh Local Board District, Leigh became the official name for the town although it had been applied to the area of Pennington and Westleigh around the parish church for many centuries.

The town became an urban district in 1894 when part of Atherton was added. In 1899 Leigh became a municipal borough.

From Wikipedia - click for full entry

Leigh Locality

Profile Stats:

Members do not see ads

Stamping Out Crime

Stamping Out Crime /

Greater Manchester Police

Two officers of Lancashire County Constabulary gaze intently through the door of a post office in Leigh. Perhaps they had seen a possible offence...
Before the Digital Camera

Before the Digital Camera /

Greater Manchester Police

Two officers of Lancashire County Constabulary keep a close eye on a Kodak dispenser on the outside wall of a shop in Leigh. We have no idea why....
When Blue was the Shirt Colour

When Blue was the Shirt Colour /

Greater Manchester Police

An officer patrols the streets of Leigh in the late 1960s. He is wearing the famous blue shirt that was an icon of policing for many years. It...
Life on Bradshawgate

Life on Bradshawgate /

Greater Manchester Police

Two officers stand on the corner of Bradshawgate and Silk Street in Leigh. The collection of the Greater Manchester Police Museum and Archive...
Walking Past Woolies

Walking Past Woolies /

Greater Manchester Police

Officers patrol along Bradshawgate close to its junction with Union Street in Leigh. The collection of the Greater Manchester Police Museum and...
On Patrol in Leigh

On Patrol in Leigh /

Greater Manchester Police

The Greater Manchester Police Museum and Archives collection, which is currently being digitised, has produced a series of marvellously evocative...