ONE of the Lancashire's last clogmakers, who shod miners, ballet dancers and fishermen, has died aged 73.

Clogger Jack Ashcroft was a familiar figure in Leigh, where he made clogs for more than 40 years until his retirement in 1989. After a long period of ill health and a serious chest infection, Mr Ashcroft, of Henrietta Street, Leigh, died in Wigan Infirmary.

His precision made, hand-crafted clogs found fame across the globe, with orders from Canada, Australia, and Japan winging their way to his Leigh workshop.

Jack started work as a window dresser in the Leigh Co-operative store shoe department. He later began his own clog making and leather repair business in Bradley's hardware store in Bradshawgate.

His wife, Margaret, remembers her husband's unique approach to making clogs: "He used to draw around the person's foot, and use it as the pattern for the clogs. It was rare, very rare, that the fitting would be wrong."

Jack's clogs even danced on the Covent Garden stage when The Royal Ballet ordered hundreds of pairs of clogs for its London production of 'La Fille Mal Garde'.

The dancing theme continued with orders from Morris teams around Britain. But Jack's shoes weren't only made for dancing. When he started his trade in the 1940s, he made shod miners and American airmen. His inventiveness increased with experience and perhaps one of the most special qualities of Jack's clogs was their very personal touch. He made specialist 'vegan' PVC clogs, and fishermen's clogs with water vents!

Well wishers and friends sent 130 sympathy cards to his grieving widow. Jack also leaves daughter Megan, baby grandson Andrew, and son-in-law Paul. Donations are being made to the Leigh Parish Church Tower appeal, and to the premature baby unit at Billinge Hospital.