ATHLETE John Taylor has set himself an Olympian target.

As the pace gathers towards Atlanta and the centenary of the Olympic Games, he is going back in time.

John is researching the history of Leigh Harriers, launched in October 1890 - six years before the first modern Olympics were established in Athens.

"I am keen to hear from anyone who has memorabilia of the club...old pictures, cuttings, programmes," he said.

John, of Twist Lane, Leigh, has been a member at the club on Holden Road since 1969.

"I joined as an 800 metre runner," he said. "Then, for one championship, they had no one to compete for the pole vault.

"I was elected, won the event - and I've been a pole vaulter ever since."

In fact, John, 39, is more than just a mere pole vaulter. Clearing heights of 13-feet, he has twice won the county title - and this month is going for a hat-trick of championships.

But, away from the action, his research is developing. "The land used to be known as Trough Meadow in the 1860s," he said.

"Lord Lilford later gave the land for athletics and in 1945, at a cost of £4,500, it was bought outright."

If you can help John in his research, you can contact him on 01942-606730.

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