EXPLORER Bill Partington took out his compass and went searching for lost treasure.

The Athertonian threw off his mosquito net, whipped out his bill-hook and headed for the jungle in search of a lion.

Not just any lion, though. Because Bill has been on safari between Leigh and Atherton and hunting for the last local lion in captivity.

He began the hunt after taking a pony and trap jaunt down The Avenue.

Bill says: "I thought I'd take a look at the lion statue - all that remains of that famous long-gone landmark Lions' Bridge.

"There was a lot of fuss a few years ago when it was officially resited alongside the road. But it looks like it's since been forgotten, lost in the undergrowth.

"It took me ages to find it."

Now Bill reckons Leigh's king of the jungle deserves a better fate.

"Surely the surroundings could be kept clear so future generations can have a glimpse of what was once the pride of Leigh?" he asks.

The surviving lion was placed in its present spot in January 1993 after a Leigh Civic Trust campaign.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.