LEIGH'S heritage could soon be salted away - deep underground in the heart of Cheshire!

Masses of records archived in Leigh and Wigan could be stashed at a salt mine repository in Winsford.

But trust chiefs claim the changes will help reshape Wigan's Heritage Services in the best interests of local people, although local history researchers say the moves will hamper students' work.

Opening days at the local history desk at Leigh Library and the Leigh Town Hall-based archives department are being cut to one per week and three days a week at the History Shop in Wigan.

A trust spokesman said: "Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust and Wigan Council are, along with other authorities in the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, considering the possibilities which are emerging from the development of the Greater Manchester County Records Office.

"This plan, which has been put to the Heritage Lottery Fund in an application for funding, involves possible establishment of a new repository for storage of records and archives in a Manchester city centre location and potentially an offsite facility in Cheshire.

"This may provide an opportunity for Wigan and other boroughs in Greater Manchester to provide a more cost-effective and higher quality service for some of their archived material."

Ian Bancroft, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust's executive director for libraries, heritage and information, said: "The ideas that come out of the vision will result in some quite significant changes to the way we deliver the service; all of which we feel will be positive in the long term.

"Although we place great value in our main venues, such as the History Shop, Wigan Pier, Leigh Local History and Leigh Archives, we want our team to get out into the community more delivering workshops and activities in areas where people do not have easy access to the borough's heritage.

"It invokes a sense of pride in the community and by taking our service to the people we hope to develop that feeling further."

But local history researchers retired teacher Bob Evans, and public transport author Dennis Sweeney believe the changes will be a hindrance.

Howe Bridge born Mr Evans, who writes historical articles for the borough's popular publication Past Forward, is researching Atherton Township documents and has over the past two years examined thousands of original documents at Leigh Town Hall.

Rail enthusiast and author Dennis Sweeney has used the facilities for many years. His first book took eight years to complete and he relied greatly on archive material at Leigh Library and Leigh Town Hall for his research. Both local historians value Leigh archives flexible three days a week opening.

Mr Evans said: "The changes will just make it impossible for this type of study to continue."

Mr Sweeney added: "I can only come when I have time to spare. For me to travel further afield would be impossible."

The service changes could also prove costly. If archives go in salt mine storage, where many private and national records collections are stored, it could cost £50,000 a year to keep them there. And to digitize the vast collection and make it readily accessible on screen could cost many millions. Even outdated microfilming would cost over £million.