I'VE discovered why jewellers Prestons are moving out of Leigh -- they're going more upmarket.

The Bolton-based high class purveyors of precious diamonds have sold the Bradshawgate premises they have occupied since 1955 and are using the cash to refurbish some of their other branches in posh towns like Windsor, Guilford and York.

The company now renamed Preston-Duckworth is aiming to stock luxury branded goods.

The Leigh shop, which has only had three managers in its 48 year history, was the target of a big armed robbery in 1988 and has since been the subject of ram raids.

But it's not those that have lead to the shop closure, nor is it my speculation last week that competition from half price and second hand gold sales was the blame. It's just that the Leigh shop premises hold the collateral -- and obviously our town doesn't warrant anything more upmarket.

Will the site become the seventh charity shop on Bradshawgate? They seem to be the only big businesses who want to come to Leigh!