A LASTING tribute to Leigh's greatest actor may follow biographer Phil Taylor's trip to his home town.

Pennington-born Phil and his wife, Sue, were at Leigh Library on Thursday to promote the newly-published life story of his great, great uncle, "Jonathan Dewhurst -- The Lancashire Tragedian".

As a result the couple, who live in Suffolk, are helping to prepare a permanent display forThe Way We Were museum at Wigan Pier.

Dewhurst, who was born in Lowton in 1837, was employed on the editorial staff of a Leigh newspaper, by an engineering company and as a grocer's assistant at Danby's, before embarking on his stage dream at the age of 28.

He became a star in Drury Lane and trod the boards with the famous Henry Irving, touring Australia and India, before returning to Leigh in 1888 to manage the Theatre Royal (now Reubens) in Lord Street for 18 years.

He lived in both Wilkinson Street and Railway Road and in 1906 at the age of 69 started a new career as landlord of the Royal Oak in Chorley. At 70 he made his last appearance on stage at the Royal Court Theatre, Wigan, and died in 1913.

Phil said: "Our trip to Leigh proved very enjoyable and was also extremely useful.

"One of the most exciting things was the interest shown by Wigan Pier. We are now working closely with them to produce a relevant permanent tribute which should happen after the Queen's Jubilee celebration displays."