BOLTON will benefit from a government cash injection to reduce obesity.

Health secretary Alan Johnson announced that Greater Manchester will share a £30 million cash pot from the Government as part of the Healthy Towns scheme.

A proportion of the cash will go to Bolton, but it is not known how much at this stage.

Manchester is one of nine towns and cities across the country that has been awarded the healthy town status.

The money will be used to promote exercise and healthy food.

The estimated cost to the NHS of obesity-related diseases across Manchester was £86.6 million in 2007, and this is projected to increase to £93.7 million in 2010 and £107.6 million in 2015.