Dr Hourig Sourouzian and Prof Rainer Stadelmann are used to giving 40-minute lectures in capital cities across the world.

But in an extremely rare break with tradition, they have accepted an invitation from Wigan's Horus Egyptology Society to lead a day school at the JJB Stadium.

Dr Sourouzian, project director of the Colossi of Memnon and Amenophis III Temple Conservation Project, will be talking about her work on the West bank at Luxor, while her husband, Prof Stadelmann, director emeritus of the German Institute of Archaeology, will speak about the Dashur pyramids.

John Johnson, president of the Horus Egyptology Society, which has around 100 members, says it is a huge coup for the town – as well as the north of England.

He said: "They would normally only go to London to the British Museum for 40 minutes so this is the biggest thing that has ever happened to us as a society.

"We have supported them in their work for the past six years so we are absolutely delighted they are finally coming to see us.

"They asked could they visit some local museums during their stay so I rang Bolton, Manchester and Liverpool to organise it. As soon as I mentioned their names, people were going out of their way to help."

The day school will take place on Sunday, June 8, at the JJB Stadium, from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

Mr Johnson, 66, a lecturer in Egyptian history and hieroglyphics at Abraham Guest High School, said: "They are going to be talking about their work on mortuary temples on both sites so it should be fascinating, especially the Colossi of Memnon project.

"The two statues that stand there weigh 1,000 tons each and were transported 650 miles from the quarries where they were cut.
"The excavation of the whole site is expected to take 28 years."

Mr Johnson travels out to Egypt at least twice a year with students and friends and says the subject has been his life-long passion.
He said: "I have been interested in this all my life. It has always been a fascination.

"I am especially interested in hieroglyphics. People say they are complicated but they are not really complicated to me. I suppose it's what I love."

Tickets for the day school on June 8 are priced at £35 and include morning coffee plus a two-course lunch at Rigalettos Restaurant.
Further details are available from Christine Fishwick on (01942) 517958 or John Johnson on (01942) 741954.

John Johnson will be speaking to Wigan Archaeology Society on Wednesday, May 7, at the scout hut on Greenough Street, Wigan, at 7.30pm.