THE Books of Condolence signed by thousands of people in Leigh and other parts of the borough in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, are shortly to be sent to a permanent home.

The Mayor, Cllr Ken Pye, has received a letter from the late Princess's office thanking everyone for their tributes and donations and asking for the books to be sent initially to Kensington Palace.

Shortly afterwards they will be forwarded to the Spencer family home at Althorp Park where they will be permanently housed.

The signatures have now been bound into 16 separate volumes weighing a hefty five stones and these are being generously transported free of charge by the freight company Amtrak.

The Mayor commented: "Local people responded in an outstanding way to the news of Diana's death. Many deeply felt personal tributes were paid by people across the borough.

"I should like to thank Amtrak for their very kind offer to transport the books to London at their own cost and ensure that they are properly received on arrival at Kensington Palace."

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