GOOD Friday sunshine brought thousands of keen walkers flocking to Rivington Pike for the annual climb to the top of the hill.
Young and old, families and friends, many accompanied by eager pet dogs, had smiles on their faces as they clambered to the summit.
The walk is a tradition which dates back to the 19th Century when Christians trekked to the top to remember Christ's walk to his crucifixion.
This year people from far and wide made the journey to the top of the hill and were joined by anti-fracking protesters staging an awareness raising march as well as an intrepid team of charity fundraisers pushing a tractor tyre.
Members of the Horwich based gym Worx Fitness took up the challenge to flip the monster tyre 2.7km from Rivington and Blackrod High School up the 1180ft climb to the top of the hill.
The challenge was in aid of the Christie Hospital where gym owner Mark Seddon's pal, Dean Thompson, was treated before he died of cancer aged just 19.
The tyre flip took the team of 10 muscled volunteers one and a half hours, with support staff collecting donations from walkers cheering them on along the way.
Even Mark's dad, 49-year-old Karl Seddon, took a turn despite just coming out of hospital following an eye operation.
"Everyone has been really good, working together and encouraging each other," said Mark Seddon, who is hoping to make the event an annual fund-raiser.
Among the families heading up the hill were Nigel Walker and Donna McKeown with their children Finley, aged 14 and Daisy. almost two.
The family travel from London to visit Nigel's mum at his childhood Horwich home each year and to climb the hill.
"Daisy's managed to walk quite a lot of the way up this year," said Donna.
But little Voilet Omoerah, aged two, hitched a lift from mum Jennifer to get to the top.
"This is her first time," said Jennifer.
"It is a family tradition. There are lots of people today and it is really good for the community of Horwich."
Among many of the four-legged friends heading for the hilltop tower was Lulu, with owners Ian and Kathryn Southern and daughter Eleanor, aged 10, from Heaton.
"It is a lovely walk and a fantastic view," said Ian. "Lulu is desperate to get to the top."
Former Rivington and Blackrod High School pupil Matthew Smith was keen to share the experience with wife Mo Corlett and children Flynn, aged 12 and Ava, aged 10.
Fortified by burgers from one of the fairground stalls at the bottom of the hill, the family, who now live in Lymm, were enjoying their day out.
"I used to do cross country runs for the school up to the pike. It is the nicest place," said Matthew.
With crowds of people out enjoying the fresh air, 200 anti-fracking protesters took the opportunity to stage a march, complete with placards, up the hill, handing out leaflets to the bank holiday walkers on the way and encouraging them to sign a petition.
The event was organised by members of the Don't Frack Rivi campaign,
"People don't realise fracking could happen here and the effect it would have," said Dan Brown, from the campaign.
"Rivington Pike may be sacrosanct to the people of Horwich, but it isn't to the government."
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