Home of bouncing bomb

Now with a population of about 40,000, Chorley dates back to the Bronze Age, recent excavations have found.

Sir Henry Tate was born in a hamlet outside Chorley in 1819. The sugar merchant’s firm later became Tate and Lyle, and he founded the Tate Britain gallery in London.

In the Second World War, the munitions factory in nearby Euxton proudly claims to have made the ‘Dambusters’ bouncing bombs.

Chorley has the largest Mormon temple this side of the Atlantic. Opened in 1998, its visitors include US soul singer Gladys Knight.

Famous locals include ex-England rugby union captain Bill Beaumont and Coronation Street actor Ken Morley, who played Reg Holdsworth.