Wigan war hero's memorial walkway left covered in rubbish and booze bottles again

Woodcock Walk, which connects Darlington Street East with Hardybutts in Scholes, was named in honour of Lance Corporal Thomas Woodcock, a local man who served in the First World War and was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery - the UK’s highest military honour.

As a Private, Thomas received the Victoria Cross after rescuing a wounded soldier on the Western Front, under a hail of enemy gunfire, in 1917.

Before it was named in tribute to him in 2016, the walkway was made famous by Oasis, who posed in front of the steps for the front cover of their 1997 single D’You Know What I Mean.

But the narrow alleyway has, once again, made headlines for the wrong reasons. Pictures sent to Wigan Today show Woodcock Walk covered in torn cardboard and litter including empty alcohol bottles.

A memorial stone at the walkway also appears to have taken some damage.

The walkway was also hit by vandals earlier this year in March, with spray paint covering the golden street sign and litter strewn on the steps.