History of Wigan   (Help with ancient and recent history.)

To answer your question, I have to say Widnes isn't next to St.Helens.
You see, Widnes is a town in it's own right, under the authority of Halton Borough Council, along with other towns. St.Helens is nothing but an authority area.

St.Helens ends and Halton begins where Sutton ends and Lunts Heath / Farnworth / Cronton begin.

Of course, St,Helens and Widnes are near to Wigan, although I wouldn't like to walk it with a stone in my shoe!