LEIGH, a manufacturing and market-town of England, county of Lancaster, on the Wigan Canal, 12 miles W. of Manchester. It consists of two principal streets, from which several smaller ones diverge in different directions. The only public buildings are, an old parish church, the town-hall, and several chapels. The inhabitants are chiefly employed in the manufacture of cotton, silk goods, cambrics, muslins, and fustian, especially the two first. In the neighbourhood cheese and glue are made to some extent. The factories are plentifully supplied with coal and lime from the surrounding country, which abounds with these minerals. Market-day, Saturday. Two annual fairs are held here, where cattle and cheese form the staples of trade. Leigh has railway and canal communication with all the manufacturing and mining districts of Lancashire. Pop. (1851) 5206.