Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester is a county for the purposes of lieutenancy, in north-western England, mainly covering south-east Lancashire, but also including a large area of north-east Cheshire, plus smaller areas of Derbyshire and Yorkshire. the main city is Manchester. It also includes the city of Salford and the towns of Altrincham, Ashton-under-Lyne, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Wigan as well as numerous other towns. It comprises parts of the historic counties Cheshire, Lancashire and, to a lesser extent, Yorkshire and Derbyshire.

Altrincham

This town is approximately eight miles south-west of Manchester city centre. Until 1974 it was in the county of Cheshire. The Manchester Metrolink light rail system's southern terminus is at the railway and bus station.

Altrincham grew as a market town and historically there were cotton mills.

Altrincham Football Club play in the English Blue Square Premier League (soccer).

Its population is 67,061 (2001).

Wigan

This is a town in Greater Manchester, England, approximately sixteen miles north-west of Manchester city centre and approximately sixteen miles north-east of Liverpool city centre. Until 1974 it was in the county of Lancashire.

Wigan North Western railway station is on the West Coast Main Line. Local services to Manchester use Wigan Wallgate railway station. Wigan Pier is situated close to the town centre on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

The headquarters of JJB Sports (a nationwide retailer) is in the town.

Wigan Athletic Football Club (soccer) and Wigan Warriors Rugby Club share the JJB Stadium.

Its population is 81,203 (2001).

It is referred to in the title of George Orwell's 1930s polemic on Lancashire working class life, 'The Road To Wigan Pier'.