STEAM celebrity Fred Dibnah arrived in Atherton on Tuesday as part of his forthcoming TV heritage series "Made in Britain".

Bolton steeplejack and documentary star Fred was in his element when he visited Garton's Factory -- Thomas Smith's Victoria nut and bolt works in Thomas Street.

Locals eagerly anticipated Fred's entrance on his famous steam-engine, but torrential rain forced him to arrive in a conventional manner by car.

Fred said: "I've spent two days cleaning the steam engine in preparation for my arrival, but the rain forced me to think again."

Atherton has always been a favoured place of Fred's as he bought one of his first steam engines from the Victoria works and still visits regularly to pick up parts for his steam engine.

Fred's love for Victoria Works stems from the fact that it is the last nut and bolt works in Atherton which was an industrial heartland famous for manufacturing threaded fasteners and nails.

He said: "This site is highly significant, particularly as Atherton is so very close to my heart."

Tim Garton, the Victoria Works manager, welcomed Fred's arrival and was full of admiration for his number one customer.

He said: "He's obviously keen on his steam engines."

Mr Garton was extremely pleased with the fact that Atherton had been selected to feature in the documentary.

He said: "It's good that through Fred's documentary, the nut and bolt industry can continue to generate public interest."

Fred was accompanied on his visit by his long-standing friend Alf Molyneux.

Mr Molyneux assisted Fred in building his mine shaft and traction engine.

He said: "We began work on the shaft about 27 years ago but only in the last two years have we really intensified our work."

The pair are still in the process of obtaining planning permission from Bolton council for the mine shaft which is being constructed in Fred's back garden.