This picture sums up the real Wigan for me, although it will not endear me to any publicists.

Notice the terrace houses in the foreground and the "Dark Satanic Mill" in the background.

The mill of course no longer functions as such.

A view of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal near Springfield.

There used to be a large colliery round about here. It has long gone.

Quite a nice view now, but it's a pity about the plastic bottle.

Another picture of the canal at Springfield.

The swans like it.

Note the old mills in the background.

This is not the usual view of the JJB Stadium, home of Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors.

Note the waste land in the foreground. This is excellent for butterflies and for walking the dog.

There was a heron on the pond when I took this picture.