"HELLO ECCLES" (With apologies to the Goon Show)

 Somewhat to the east of Leigh is Astley and the former colliery here has been converted into a museum. An 0-4-0ST loco stands outside.

The Cart and Horses at Astley is a well known Holt's pub.

Further east was Worsley Coal Chute on the Bridgewater Canal.

I once found this Wilson's Brewery dray outside a pub in Worsley.

Now, we head for the town of Swinton. You can follow the route here. There's shops to be found in Swinton Square (Creative Commons License).

Here's St Peter's church (Creative Commons License).

Lancashire United/GMT ran into Swinton. 2335 is on Chorley Road in 1985.

Two Holt's pubs to visit in Swinton, the Park Inn and the White Swan

We now turn south, to Patricroft loco shed in LMS times.

Just to the east is Eccles station, where class 40 locos were common.

Here's the exterior of Eccles station in pre-grouping days.

The old town hall in Eccles (Creative Commons License).

The shopping centre (Creative Commons License).

Salford trams once ran into Eccles.

Manchester's Metrolink now serves Eccles.

Various bus companies have served Eccles. Arriva has a big share of the routes.

Blue Bus ran several services here, but have now ceased trading.

Eccles Greys/Irwell Valley didn't last long.

Another vanished operator, the Lyntown Bus Company, had their depot in Eccles.

Get your Eccles cakes at Ye Olde Thatche!

There's plenty of real ale available in Eccles, but not at the Albert Edward any more.

The Eccles Cross is the town's Wetherspoons.

Sadly, the Royal Oak is no longer open.

Never mind, there's Holt's beers in the White Lion.

We conclude our visit in the Lamb, a historic pub close to the tram stop. More Holts.

Next time, we'll be in the area to the north of Manchester.