THE neglected grave of Leigh's most distinguished war hero has been restored after a veterans' request.

Alfred Wilkinson became the only Leigh man to win the Victoria Cross for his selfless bravery during the First World War.

He died aged only 43 in 1940 and was buried in Leigh Cemetery will full military honours.

But over the years his headstone fell into disrepair. On behalf of the Old Comrade's Association of the Manchester Regiment -- Alfred's old regiment -- War veteran Bert Paxford, called on Wigan Council to restore the grave.

Bert, of Bonnywell Road, Leigh said: "He is the borough's only VC and he came from Leigh. The VC is a big honour to receive. Restoring the grave is a way of paying respect and acknowledging what he did.

"My main concern is that it seems nobody's been tending his grave."

Following Bert's request Wigan Council spent in the region of £250 restoring the grave. The headstone was removed, the lettering and inscriptions were cleaned up and then the headstone was replaced.

Fresh gravel was then laid at the grave which is located in the Roman Catholic section of the cemetery and marked by a polished black granite cross.

Tony Bassett, the borough cemeteries services manager, said: "Headstones are not the responsibility of the Council. It is up to families to maintain them. We tried to contact Mr Wilkinson's family but they could not be traced. There may not be any living relatives or they may have moved away.

"It was decided to restore the headstone to acknowledge this gentleman's importance."

Alfred was awarded the VC after he delivered an important message requesting more reinforcements during the Great War by crossing 600 yards of barrage-swept land.

The brave Leyther had volunteered to be the message bearer despite seeing four soldiers shot dead while trying to cross the divide. After delivering the message he safely retraced his tracks.

Under cover of British fire his company fell back in open order to the reserve lines but lost a considerable number of men.

For the third time Alfred crossed the danger zone without a wound. As a result of Alfred's message reinforcements arrived, the German position was taken and the enemy driven back 1000 yards.

Sadly, in 1940 Alfred died from carbon monoxide poisoning after a ventilation pipe in the building where he worked on the surface at Bickershaw Colliery had become blocked by a dead bird.