EX-pats congregated at a Newton pub last week to reunite former miners of Bold Colliery.

David Adams, from Newton, has lived in South Carolina for the past 26 years and together with Michael McLoughlin, arranged a reunion of old workmates.

David was accompanied by his wife Pat and mum and dad, former Newtonians, Wally and Margaret Adams.

David said: "My dad also worked at Bold Colliery for 20 years and hasn't been back for a visit in 18 years so he was long overdue for a holiday back in his home town.

"I contacted Mike and he agreed that it would be a great idea to get the old crew back together again."

David's father, Wally, an American, was stationed at Burtonwood Air Base in the late 40s where he met his Newton-born wife Margaret, before settling in Cole Avenue.

The reunion, at the Old Crow pub, on Crow Lane West, was a great success, and gave former colliery workers the chance to reminisce about bygone days.

David said: "It seemed like only yesterday as we reminisced of an era of hard work and camaraderie in some of the worst working conditions imaginable. The youngest person there was in his mid 40s while the oldest was in his 80s. People came from as far away as Southport, Warrington and Wigan. It was a night that lifted everyone's spirits. As everyone left each of us vowed not to leave it so long next time."