THE descendants of an East Lancashire radical campaigner retraced his steps to the sit of the Peterloo Massacre on the commemoration of it 200th anniversary.

George Dewhurst, accused of high treason imprisoned for two years for his efforts to improve the lot of working people, is understood to have been among the 'Blackburn contingent' which walked to join the massive protest rally in Manchester city centre in 1819.

His great-great-great-great-granddaughter Emma Speed, who has has spent three years researching her radical ancestor, and her son Monty, joined in the August 16 memorial event.

The eight-year-old read out the name of two year-old William Fildes, dashed from his mother's arms by a Cavalry trooper, in the roll call of the 18 killed in the attempt to disperse the crowd of more than 60,000 protestors.

The pair, whose quest to find the grave of 'radical or radicals' Mr Dewhurst has been chronicled in Bygones, also met two of the 14 other descendants they have traced - Kirsty Sharratt and Dave Mullin from Burnley - at a civic reception.

To put the cherry on the cake for Monty, he got to meet celebrated film makers Mike Leigh ,who directed the recent 'Peterloo'' film, and Danny Boyle, the Oscar-winning director of 'Slumdog Millionaire' and creator of the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony.

Now Mrs Speed, aged 49, is seeking to raise the £1,200 needed to buy the silver cup given to her famous ancestor by his Blackburn supporters for the town's Musuem after it turned up in a Bristol jewellers.

She and UCLAN animation student Beth Joy have also produced a short film depicting how George was arrested for High Treason shortly after Peterloo in 1819. Narrated by Monty, it was premiered as part of the Peterloo commemoration.

Monty said: "It was such an amazing day and I felt proud to be there because of George.

"I did my best to read the name, but was very nervous as there were so many people there and TV cameras too! Meeting Danny Boyle was very special, he was funny and Mike Leigh was really interested in our connection to George. Both wanted to see and hold George's cup.""

Mrs Speed said: " This was an important part of a journey to learn more about our important ancestor and it has taken us in all sorts of directions. We have found many more descendants of George. I also wanted to make a film about George, so more people knew about what he did for Blackburn and the reform movement and that has come together at just the right time."

She is still looking for an image of Mr Dewhurst.

Blackburn historian Paul Holden said: "George was heavily involved in the Peterloo movement and we believe a Blackburn Contingent was at Peterloo in August 1819.

"The Radical movement was very prevalent in Blackburn and also gave rise to the first women's reform union in Blackburn. Bringing George's cup home would be a big part of recognising not only his role, but the role of Blackburn in changing workers rights for the better. "