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Cotton mills once dominated the Chorley skyline, but this attractive Lancashire market town is rightly proud of the progress made since. Sandwiched between the M6 and M61, the town enjoys exceptionally good transport links and enjoys its place as a thriving hub of central Lancashire. Chorley’s outdoor market, which has run for over 200 years, takes place every Tuesday on the Flat Iron and attracts shoppers from near and afar. Overlooked by Healey Nab, Chorley’s proximity to the West Pennine Moors means that it’s also a favourite for walkers and cyclists alike.

Villages in the Borough include the prosperous enclaves of Eccleston, Croston and Mawdesley to the west, whilst the authentic mill villages of Heapey, Brinscall, Wheelton and Withnell dominate the rural east of the borough. The new housing development of Buckshaw Village has tempted many outsiders to sample the delights of living in Chorley.

Though the mainly residential town of Leigh is within Wigan Borough, the town’s inhabitants, known as Leythers, are fiercely independent. Situated almost halfway between Wigan and Manchester city centre, the legacy of Leigh’s industrial past can be seen in the remaining red brick mills and Edwardian and Victorian terraced housing packed around the town centre.

Originally an agricultural area noted for dairy farming, domestic spinning and weaving led to a considerable silk and, in the 20th century, cotton industry. Leigh also exploited its coal seams particularly after the town was connected to the canals and railways.

Nowadays, the town’s economy is based largely on the retail sector with a bustling town centre, impressive market and several out of town shopping centres servicing surrounding areas such as Pennington, Atherton, Tyldesley, Lowton, Hindley Green and Astley.

The roots of modern day St Helens go back to 1868, when the town was officially incorporated as a municipal borough responsible for the townships of Eccleston, Parrr, Sutton and Windle. The St Helens area developed rapidly during the Industrial Revolution into a significant centre for coal mining and glassmaking. Today, the main industries associated with the growth of St Helens have left, with the exception of glass producer Pilkington’s.

Despite these setbacks, St Helens has consistently managed to punch above its weight. Its commercial sector is progressively steered by St Helens Chamber and the local Council, it has a thriving arts sector and it has a proud sporting heritage too, with a thriving rugby league scene.

At the last census, the population count of St Helens Borough was 176,843, and approximately 77,000 of that population live outside the town itself, in affluent commuter suburbs such as Eccleston Park and Rainhill (from where Liverpool is less than 30 minutes by train), and the farming belt of south Lancashire, which takes in villages such as Rainford and Billinge.

Over the past few decades the West Lancashire area has developed from small farming communities into a much desired housing area, favoured by families migrating from the surrounding urban communities of Liverpool, Preston, Wigan and Southport. The area houses some of the most affluent villages in Lancashire, such as Aughton, Dalton, Parbold, Rufford and Tarleton.

The area’s main town of Ormskirk is home to the rapidly growing Edge Hill University, and as a result many new bars and restaurants have opened in Ormskirk, allowing the thriving market town to develop a new night-time economy.

The rapidly growing village of Burscough, boasts two railway stations, an exciting new retail development at Burscough Wharf, and a new out-of-town centre, whilst Tarleton and Hesketh Bank, both once sleepy farming communities, are now thriving villages with many facilities and shops.

Due to the rural nature of the West Lancashire area, Local Life is delivered via  Royal Mail to ensure that the our coverage reaches into every single home in the L39 and L40 postcode districts and also to the PR4-6 and WN8-7 postcode sectors. Because of this investment, no other publication even comes near the thorough coverage Local Life can provide in these areas.

Once a thriving centre for coal and cotton, today’s Wigan is an increasingly attractive and growing town that’s just minutes away from glorious Lancashire countryside. Located between Manchester and Liverpool, with impressive road and rail links, the town is a popular choice for commuters.

Heritage is an important part of Wigan life, the town has 216 listed buildings. Redevelopment of the town continues apace and the Wigan town centre regeneration plan is a £60 million scheme that will transform the town centre into an exciting and vibrant shopping and leisure attraction. You can’t mention Wigan without referring to its sporting prowess. Its rugby league team, Wigan Warriors, is amongst the most famous in the world, while Wigan Athletic Football Club won the FA Cup in 2013.