The town was formerly the centre of a large textile (wool spinning) and coal mining industry.
Ashton's industries today include: engineering, food processing, leather, plastics, textiles, brewing, and the manufacture of diesel, gas, and oil engines.
The River Tame and the Ashton Canal both run through the town. An extension of the Manchester Metrolink tram system is expected to be built to Ashton by 2010.
Ashton-under-Lyne is located at 53°29'00" North, 02°06'00" West (53.4833,
-2.1000)1.Geography