ON this day, 87 years ago, 266 people went to work in Gresford Colliery and did not return home.

Today, a service to remember the 87th anniversary of the Gresford Colliery Disaster was held today.

The occasion saw dignitaries, residents, school children and family members of the victims gather at the memorial in Bluebell Lane

They remembered the hundreds of lives lost on September 22, 1934.

The simple annual service was held at 11am at the Gresford Disaster Memorial, on the 87th anniversary of the incident that took the lives of 266 local men and boys.

Pupils from nearby Ysgol Bryn Alyn were proud to take part in the service to remember those that had lost their lives.

Many miners were ‘doubling up’ and changed shift so they would be free to watch Wrexham AFC against near-neighbours Tranmere Rovers on the Saturday afternoon.

At 2:08am, a violent explosion occured through the Dennis Section of the Gresford Collery mine, leaving an underground fire.

At the time, 500 men were working down the mine on a night shift, with 266 losing their lives.

Wrexham Museums tweeted: "Just before two in the morning #OTD eighty-seven years ago, a series of explosions shook the Dennis section at Gresford Colliery in north Wales. 266 miners eventually died in the disaster."

Wrexham Labour Party tweeted: "On this day we Remember the 266 victims of the Gresford disaster #Wrexham #Gresford #LestWeForget"

This week, football clubs incuding Wrexham AFC, Gresford Athletic, Brymbo Lodge, and Rhos Alewyd have paid tribute to the victims of the tragic event.

Gresford Athletic said: "Fathers, sons, brothers and husbands. Members of our community.

"We will never, ever forget them."