BOLTONIANS say their home town gives them plenty of reasons to be proud.

Council chiefs are consulting thousands of people in Bolton in a bid to stop it becoming another "clone town" of national chain stores and faceless office and housing developments.

The want to know from Bolton people what makes them proud of the town and why they consider it unique.

The results of the £40,000 survey, the Bolton Distinctiveness Study, will be used to create new planning guidelines that recognise Bolton's history and traditions.

Civic leaders are anxious to preserve Bolton's unique mediaeval, Victorian and industrial heritage.

The Bolton Evening News asked residents and leading figures in the town why they are proud to call it home.

Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce said: "I came to Bolton as a 15 year-old from Dudley in the West Midlands and I've lived here ever since. I am proud to admit that.

"Bolton is a fantastic town full of wonderful people and has amazing character."

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Frank White, said: "I am proud of Bolton because of its history, heritage and tradition, its ability to accept change and its tolerance of others.

"Our immediate challenge is to find out why the town is so special and to start developing the town to encompass those values."

Bolton Council leader Cllr Barbara Ronson said it was the people who made Bolton such a special place.

"I think the most important aspect that we have to be proud of in Bolton is the people and the fact that they are so friendly.

"But, as well as that, they are ready willing to express their views and if they don't agree with what is going on they will say so," she said.

"The second thing to be proud of is the variety of the town centre and the different things you can do - it's not just about shopping and working."

Cllr Ronson said Bolton had a very attractive town centre but added that she would like to see more greenery.

John Jewitt, landlord of the Man and Scythe pub in Churchgate, said he had seen huge improvements in the town.

He praised the local authority and the police for helping to make the town safer.

Mr Jewitt also said the town had a rich heritage which was now being recognised.

"I am very pleased about the Mediaeval fairs in Churchgate. The town has got a lot of heritage and we are now moving forward into a new era where that heritage is being recognised."

He added: "People want to come to Bolton as tourists now and I have seen that change come to fruition in the nine years I have been here."

But Town Centre manager Cathy Savage thinks that clever development is the key to attracting more people to Bolton.

She said: "You have got to have a certain number of High Street chain stores to attract people into the town centre.

"We certainly have a number of High Street chains missing in Bolton and it would be fantastic to have a Monsoon, Gap or Disney shop in Bolton but it also needs a good mix of independents because otherwise there is a danger of it becoming clone town.

"We have got to find a good mix.