HISTORIANS who launched a storm of protest over planned cuts to Leigh's heritage services have won longer opening hours.

People power has swayed Wigan and Leigh Culture Trust bosses who have listened to their calls for more time.

As a result the archives department in Leigh Town Hall will now be open on two days a week instead of the one suggested and the local history officer will be available for one day plus an extra one evening a week and on alternate Saturdays.

Wigan's History Shop will be closed on Wednesday but open on five days a week instead of the three proposed.

The changes come into force from Monday and will be reviewed in December.

Trust chairman, Jacqui Boardman, said: "We have listened to everybody who has come and talked to us and we are confident that the new hours will allow us to provide an excellent service. We have made appropriate changes to the original proposals where there has been strong demand from our customers. This has been a testing time and difficult decisions have had to be made, but we believe they are for the long-term benefit of all those who wish to discover heritage in the borough."

New times for Leigh local history services begin on February 26. Access to material will still be available in the present section in Leigh Library. This includes use of microfilms, even on days when the local history officer is not present, but booking is required.

Opening times are Thursday 9-7pm and alternate Saturdays from 9.30-4pm. For general enquiries call 01942 404459 or for bookings call 01942 828020. Following consultation the archive search room will be open to appointments on two days per week. In addition extra staff will be on hand during at least one of these days to allow the archivist greater flexibility to carry out his duties while keeping the public search room supervised. From Monday the archives opening times are Wednesday and Thursday, 10am to 4.30pm.For enquiries and bookings call 01942 404431 or 01942 828020.

Wigan's History Shop will now open for five days per week to maximise access and the local family history service has been strengthened by recruiting additional help at the local history desk. A programme to train additional cover is underway. In response to demand, a more streamlined system allowing customers to make their own microfilm copies has been introduced. Capacity will be increased in the near future through the introduction of an additional reading machine.

Saturday morning openings will also be retained within the new opening hours which are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and Friday 10.30am-3pm and Saturday 10am-1pm.