PUPILS helped freeze a moment in history by sealing a time capsule in the walls of the newly-rebuilt Ashton market hall.

Youngsters representing six primary schools joined Councillor Kieran Quinn inside the market hall to bury the lead box in a cavity wall.

Encased in bricks and marked with a special plaque, the time capsule will be opened in 50 years.

Twenty eight pupils have been handed special tickets inviting them back to the grand re-opening in 2058.

Inside the lead box is a copy of the Advertiser’s memorable front page which captured the smouldering remains hours after the blaze. It also contains a Harry Potter novel, a DVD of shoppers’ memories, a shopping list and a display of coinage in circulation today. The box was welded shut by Katrina Caine, a talented plumbing student from Tameside College who has just passed her exams with flying colours.

The ceremony is the latest step towards the completion of four years work to raise the charred building from the ashes.

Councillor Quinn, economic chief, said: "When the fire happened what became clear quite soon afterwards was the importance of the building’s history, some of it dating back to 1835.

"So one of the key objectives we had was to ensure that as the new market hall came to life again we didn’t forget that history. We also wanted to capture this moment in time and show how important this market hall is to our residents. I certainly won’t be around, but the schoolchildren attending will all be given a ticket inviting them back in 50 years times when the capsule is reopened."