A magazine has dubbed Farnworth one of the up-and-coming new places to live in the Northwest.

It might come as a shock to people in Bolton to know that The Sunday Times’ Best Places To Live edition has revealed Farnworth as a top choice.

While Trawden in Lancashire came out as the best place to live in the Northwest due to its community banding together to save anything that could shut, Farnworth was picked because it is "on the up".

The magazine states: “Farnworth in Bolton and Rochdale are already seeing the benefits of town centre regeneration.”

In response to the national coverage, Cllr Maureen Flitcroft: "Farnworth being referenced in the Sunday Times article as being an up-and-coming place to live in the North West is extremely positive news.

"This comes following the granting of planning permission for Capital and Centric’s £55m investment in regeneration works in Farnworth town centre and the extension to the leisure centre which are both due to commence in earnest in the next few weeks with a completion date of the end of March 2024.

"These long-planned development works along with the other upcoming projects in our area are contributing to a significantly improving outlook for Farnworth and Kearsley.

"The significant increase in property prices in the BL4 post code area and the rate at which properties are being sold are also an indicator that the potential of our town is once more being unlocked after years of waiting."

In April, plans were finally approved to revamp Farnworth starting with the market precinct, where 85 new apartments, 12 family homes and 20,000 ft square for bars and independent shops will be built.

When the plans were originally set and approved last year in September, there was much excitement surrounding it.

READ: Farnworth: 'Game changing' redevelopment plan approved by Bolton Council

Adam Higgins, co-founder of CAPITAL&CENTRIC, said: “We’re chuffed that we’ve got the go ahead to help reboot the town centre with a new mixed community and town centre destination.

"This is our first project in Bolton and the local community have been brilliant in helping us to create a vision that will not only cater to Farnworthians but will draw in new residents and visitors from across the city-region and beyond.”

Farnworth is set to get a new community hub, plenty of green space and an events pavilion for future outdoor events.

Adam said: “This is what regeneration and social impact is all about – we’re breathing new life into a derelict site right in the heart of the town centre.

This is an ambitious, design-led mix of homes, communal facilities, buzzing event and culture spots, and tonnes of green and outdoor spaces… a genuine community.

“We can’t wait to get cracking and pen an exciting new chapter for Farnworth town centre.”

Bolton Council’s executive cabinet member for regeneration, Cllr Adele Warren, said: “As a council, we are committed to regenerating Farnworth by bringing modern living spaces and business units into the area.

“We developed a masterplan for the town in 2019 and this planning decision brings us a step closer to an exciting and vibrant new development right in the heart of Farnworth."