DAVID Cameron hailed the Bolton Lads and Girls club as a model for others to follow during a flying visit.

The Conservative leader spent just under an hour yesterday at the club in Spa Road ahead of a "Children's Summit" in Sale, where he launched an inquiry into the quality of childhood in Britain.

Pupils from Highfield, Sacred Heart and Gilnow primary schools watched as Mr Cameron said he was impressed with facilities at the club, which include a sports hall and a boxing gym.

Mr Cameron said other towns and cities could benefit from a club like Bolton's.

He said: "I'd heard great things about the Bolton Lads and Girls Club and it's great to come and see it for myself.

"They are getting out and finding young people, some of whom have been excluded or fallen out of the mainstream, and offering an alternative to anti-social behaviour and crime. It's fantastic and incredibly uplifting."

He was joined on the tour by Shadow Children's Minister Tim Loughton and the Tories' prospective parliamentary candidates for Bolton North-east and Bolton-west, Deborah Dunleavy and Susan Williams.

The two seats are on a hit-list of seats the Conservatives believe they need to gain if they are to win the next election.

Ms Dunleavy told Mr Cameron about her involvement in a club community outreach project with 12 teenagers aged 14 to 17, from Hall i'th' Wood, whom she is challenging to come up with 10 ideas to improve their lives on the estate.

Mr Loughton also visited the children's centre in Halliwell earlier in the day.

  • Despite his high-profile visit, Mr Cameron still has some work to do with recognition among young people.

After he had left the club, some of the youngsters did not know who he was.

Chez Mills, aged 14, from Little Lever, asked: "Is he a Conservative? I wasn't sure whether it was him or Gordon Brown who was leader of the Conservatives."