town, West Lancashire district, administrative and historic county of Lancashire, England, on the western periphery of the older industrial town of Wigan. During the early 10th century Scandinavians settled in the area, naming it Skjalmar's Dale. In Domesday Book (1086) it was noted as a small agricultural hamlet. Between 1861 and 1881 coal mining began, and the town grew in importance. In 1962 Skelmersdale was selected as the first new town in Lancashire. Large modern housing estates have sprung up all around the old town, and a large industrial estate has attracted various light industries. Pop. (2001) 39,279.