A GOLBORNE boxing hero who made his name in the ring will be immortalised -- by a Square.

The new £120,000 square in Golborne village will be named the Peter Kane Square in his honour.

Boxer Peter, born Peter Cain, became world flyweight champion in 1938 aged just 20.

And in 1947, he won the European bantham weight crown.

Folk in the village voted by four to ten to have the local legend's name used for the square.

The villagers were given the choice of Millennium Square, Golborne Square, Kidglove Square (named after the local colliery), Peter Kane Square or a blank for people's own suggestions.

A total of 973 people voted -- including North-west Euro MP Brian Simpson who also comes from the village.

The name Peter Kane romped home, with Kidglove Square in second place. Organiser Laurie Barton said: "We were very pleased with the number of votes that came in. People could vote using forms in the village centre shops and the library as well as other places. Children at local junior schools were also allowed to vote."

She added: "It is very pleasing to find that Peter Kane has won. It is also very fitting. He used to train in the upstairs rooms of the New Inn Pub which used to stand on the spot where the square now stands."

Peter Kane, who was born in 1918 and died 10 years ago, started professional boxing aged 16.

He had been an apprentice blacksmith in Lowton and built his boxing muscles up hammering out metal.

During his career, his nickname was The Golborne Blacksmith.

His defence of his world title was interrupted by the Second World War, when he joined the RAF, but his come back fight when war ended saw him lose his world title and he eventually retired in 1948.

His sister Margaret Kay, now 88, still lives in Golborne and his son Peter Cain became a successful butcher in Standish.

The family will be invited as guests of honour when the square is opened in a few weeks' time.

Peter Kane's name will be engraved in an ornamental paving stone and it is hoped a memorial to the boxer, who is buried at St Thomas' Church, will also be put in the square.