EXTRA support has been granted to remove unsafe cladding and carry out repairs on a historic Bolton block of flats where standards had fallen short.

This comes after Bolton North MP Mark Logan lobbied the government for support to improve Holden Mill, a well-known Bolton landmark thanks to its distinctive green dome and which houses 296 apartments in Astley Bridge, through the Building Safety Fund and financial support from the Waking Watch Relief Fund.

He hopes that this will help the block's residents, who had raised concerns about fire safety, feel safer.

Mr Logan said: "Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own home, I and my team have focused on improving the living conditions of this large number of Astley Bridge residents.

"In Westminster I’ve strongly voiced the need to protect residents and leaseholders across Bolton."

Mr Logan had written to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove asking for further clarity on the payments from the fund.

He also hosted a round table meeting with concerned residents.

Anita Brooks, who lives in the block, said: "If it had not been for Mark’s help, I would not have been in a position to sell my apartment due to the long overdue repairs that were eventually carried out by National House Building Council."

People living in the blocks had also raised concerns about water ingress.

Another resident, Craig Graham said: "We asked Mark to get involved as soon as he was elected and he has not disappointed, he has helped the Holden Mill steering group to secure a start to the repair of the roof of the mill under NHBC cover and is further helping with his involvement on the Building Safety Bill committee."

A heritage statement prepared by Paul Butler Associates, on behalf of the building’s owners, Recom Solutions Ltd when plans to improve the building were first lodged in febraury said the issue relates to an extensions built on upper floors when the building was converted.

It said: "The mill was converted to residential use in 2007.

"As part of this, an extension to the sixth and seventh floor was constructed to the main mill to form two storey penthouse apartments as well as single storey penthouses to the former carding shed, to form a new second floor extension.

"These extensions to form rooftop penthouses were constructed using external cladding and insulation which have since been found to be combustible and are required to be replaced with new cladding along with the installation of associated fire cavity barriers that meet present thermal and fire retardant standards."