DELIGHTED Leigh Gymnastics Club coach Jill Orrell has been handed the keys to the Marsh Gymnasium 100 years to the day after the death of the benefactor who gave it to the town.

After a year of negotiation she is planning to have the historic Ullswater Street gym, presented by William Edward Marsh in 1902, back to its original use by Christmas.

Clean-up volunteers moved in at the weekend before a mass of Marsh memorabilia, including the 1928 Olympic medals won by Leigh gymnasts Ada and Hilda Smith, is put on show.

Jill, who organised a tribute to Mr Marsh to mark the century since his death on October 5 at Leigh Parish Church, said: "He'll be smiling somewhere today."

Club members were at the harvest festival service conducted by the vicar, the Rev Dr Arthur Cunningham, who incorporated a memorial to Mr Marsh, who presented the newly renovated four face clock to the church.

Jill said he read a very appropriate tribute paid to Mr Marsh at his funeral service.

Jill said: "It was very moving, and it was wonderful to meet members of the congregation who had been members of the original Marsh Gym like 88-years-old Bill Booker who was coached by Ada Smith and is really excited by our developments there."

She said: "We can't wait to be up and running. It is the history behind the gym that is important to me and I would like to thank local historian Tony Ashcroft for all his work. He played a major part in helping me find all the information on the family, the gym, and Leigh's Olympic gymnasts."

Jill's search for The Marsh Cup, last presented in 1939, is still going on. If anyone knows of its whereabouts she can be contacted on 07791 868295.