FOR most people, the funfair is an escape from the everyday hustle and bustle and the chance to spend time relaxing with the family.

But for one Bolton family, it is when things really start to get busy.

Henry Hill's North-west Funfair is touring Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Cheshire, with three or four funfairs on the go at once.

And as one of the oldest family businesses in Bolton, owner Henry Hill said their enthusiasm gets stronger from year to year.

He said: "My funfair travels across the North-west from February to November. I supply fairs for all local authorities and community groups, and it also supports Cancer Research charity events at places like Pendlebury Hospital.

Out of season, there is paperwork, health and safety work and repairs to carry out, as well as cosmetic work on the rides.

And there is no more than a three-month window to get everything ready at their base in base on the Mill Hill Industrial Estate, Bolton.

Mr Hill said: "Throughout the winter months, I carry out repairs, maintenance and presentation to my equipment.

"The team, led by my son, Kurt, works hard to make sure that all the rides are not only presentable, but safe for the forthcoming season.

"I always use local businesses. I need steel, wood, paint, and canvas covers, and I can get all of that in Bolton. The artwork on the rides is done by a local enthusiast I know called Tony Rae."

And for Mr Hill, there is no place like home.

"It's nice to travel, but nothing beats bring the funfair home to Bolton for the summer fairs in Queen's Park and the Asian Festival of Culture," he said.

Hill's Funfair was founded in 1901 by Mr Hill's grandfather, Albert. His father, Henry, was next in charge.

"As a child, I always remember my father saying to me that our business is like an acorn. If you look after it, it will grow and grow. He was true to his word, and those words are now on a plaque on the front of my dad's truck."

"When my father, who became known as Big Henry, took over the funfair, it was already growing.

"When he died in 2003, although we were a big name in the town and further afield, as the third generation to take over running the business, I wanted to make the next step."

The next step involved registering North-west Funfairs as an official trading name, and promoting the fair across the region. It is now the North-west's largest independent supplier of funfairs.

Like all business owners, Mr Hill feels the increasing weight of legislation and red tape.

"There are more and more checks to be done every year, but you have to satisfy the authorities that you have done the work. The paperwork gets bigger each year."

Mr Hill's wife, Karen, who runs her own takeaway food concession businesses in Bolton town centre, is responsible for the company's administration.

Mrs Hill said: "I can quite easily handle the admin, so Henry takes charge of getting the fair on the road with Kurt."

Kurt Hill, aged 46, was brought up in Daubhill, and went to Brandwood School, albeit sporadically.

"I have fond memories of my school days. I was given a special education, because I was only in school during the winter months. My headmaster was very patient with me, because I always had a lot of catching up to do.

"I lived in the caravans at the back of Warburtons at the time, and made a lot of friends outside the fairground community, although I have friends across the country now, mainly through my travels with the fair. It is like a big family."

For Henry Hill, like his father and grandfather, family and business are inexorably bound together.

Mr Hill said: "Eventually, Kurt will take over the fair, and it is nice to be secure in the knowledge that it will be in safe hands. He already plays a major part in the running of the fair, expanding it even further across the region.

"He talks about taking the fair overseas in the winter months. If it does happen, it will be his doing. He will be running things by then."