COMEDIAN Peter Kay has been asked to appear in a film based on the Pretoria Pit disaster which killed 344 miners.

Proposals for a movie based on the 1910 tragedy are currently being considered by London-based Celtic Films Limited.

The potential film has been scripted by Cheryl Marsden-McGlynn, a fledgling writer from St George's Avenue, Westhoughton.

And if commisioned, it will follow the real-life Hollingsworth family in the lead-up to the horrific explosion.

The well-known comic has been asked to star as Peter Lowe, a miner of similar age, height and build as the TV personality.

It follows months of research into the disaster by Miss Marsden-McGlynn, aged 32. She has written directly to the comedian in a bid to persuade him to sign up.

She said: "It wouldn't be a major part, but the very nature of the film means there are no big parts for men.

"Peter Lowe was quite a comical character and I think Mr Kay would be perfect for the part. It may seem odd to have anything comical in such a serious film bit I don't want it to be all doom and gloom."

Celtic Films was behind the hugely successful Sharpe series on ITV, which starred actor Sean Bean. Lucy Allan, a spokesman for the company, confirmed it was looking at the proposal. She said: "I think it is an interesting project but I have been holding back on a response until I can ask one of our producers to read the piece." So far, 20 scenes have been scripted. Miss Marsden-McGlynn is looking for help with some of the details and has appealed to BEN readers.

She said: "I need to know what the weather was like on December 21, 1910, and I'm also trying to track down as many photographs of the victims and immediate families as possible.

"I really need information on the Hollingsworth family who lived on Hindley Road in Daisy Hill.

"In fact, if anyone has any information of use to me, then I'd love to hear from them.

"I would like to track down some cobbled streets, back yards, privvies and terraced homes dating back to 1910." DISASTER

FACT FILE THE Pretoria Pit disaster was one of the world's worst ever mining tragedies. Fathers, sons, brothers and in-laws lost their lives in an explosion in Westhoughton on December 21, 1910. Almost every home was affected by a total of 344 deaths. Reports published two days later mentioned 'streets of weeping and homes of sorrow'. Only four men were rescyed alive from near where the blast occured -- only three survived.

Funerals began on Christmas Day and on Boxing Day nearly 100 people were buried. The disaster marked the beginning of the end for mining in Westhoughton. A special service is held each year to remember the deaths of the miners. A memorial stone stands at the site.