GIN PIT residents will mark the Queen's Jubilee with a legacy for future generations.

Inhabitants of the former mining village of about 70 houses will bury a time capsule filled with a mixture of artefacts, records, photographs, stories and maps and Journal stories charting the village's history.

The community grew during a thriving mining industry and struggled after the pits closed but locals again have pride in their surroundings.

Tony Finley, over 20 years a villager, said: "I'd like to hear from anybody who has a story about the village. We want to put things in the capsule about every aspect of the village, no matter what it is.

"Inside the time capsule we'll put aerial photographs and maps of how the place has changed.

"I'm hoping we will be able to take a picture of everybody who lives in the village, and place the pictures in the capsule. We could even put some coal in there."

Peace Street resident Tony said his idea has already generated excitement among villagers and is supported by the village residents committee.

By trawling through archives Tony has garnered a stack of trivia and information about village life.

Gin Pit village, situated between Astley and Tyldesley, got its name from the colliery started there in 1864 by Samuel Jackson. The name "Gin Pit" is derived from the winding machine used to raise coal from underground.

The Rowland family was one of the wealthiest families in the Gin Pit and they ran the colliery at the turn of the century.

By 1920 there were more than 570 residents and the settlement boasted a pie shop and chip shop.

In 1927 the Welfare Hall opened -- built by miners during the 1926 strike -- and village life was dominated by sport at one time Gin Pit was recognised as having the best 'tug-o' war team in the country.

Harold Hassall a Bolton Wanderers and England soccer player, Fred Norris a Bolton Harriers athlete who represented England in the Helsinki Olympics, and 1930s England rugby union player Roy Leyland all had connections with the village.

And the village was once dubbed 'the Holy City' because it did not have a pub or a church.

In the 1970s Gin Pit was transformed into a pre-war Yorkshire village called "Skellerton" while Granada TV filmed the hit series "Sam".

Once prosperous Gin Pit became known in the late 1960s as "the lost village" because of poor roads, bad street lighting, lack of bus service and no public telephone.

Parents complained their kids had nowhere to play apart from on colliery spoil heaps and banded together to put Gin Pit back on the map marching with banners and placards to put across their views at Tyldesley Town Hall.

Anyone interested in contributing to the capsule should call Mr Finley on 01942 894349.