BOLTON'S new £8 million casino and bingo hall is starting to emerge.

Builders are making headway in their task of transforming the former Sainsbury's supermarket, in Flash Street, Bolton.

As our picture shows, the three turrets which will greet punters have already been installed.

The site will become one of the first in the country to test the idea of combining a casino with a Mecca bingo hall in the same location.

Owners Rank Group hope that relaxed gaming legislation will eventually allow it to open the whole building up for gambling.

The scheme to convert the former 57,000 sq ft supermarket will create around 100 jobs for the area and become the town's second casino, joining Stanley's in Bridge Street.

Meanwhile, applications for a bingo and gaming license at the site have been submitted with Bolton Magistrates Court by the Rank group. The current Mecca Bingo hall on Ashburner Street is due to close to be replaced by the new development while the chain's other bingo club, on Breightmet Fold Lane, will stay open.

Rank operates 121 Mecca Bingo clubs in the UK with 1 million active members and over 21 million visits to its clubs in 2003.

A government inspector gave permission for development earlier this year after the planning committee failed to make a decision within two months. More than 60 objections were lodged against the scheme by neighbours who believe the casino will destroy their peace and quiet.

Tenants living in the 81 flats at Hargreaves House in nearby Trinity Street claimed the casino would cause disruption.

Anyone wishing to object to the gaming licenses has until Tuesday, September 9 to write to Glenys Stacey in the Gaming Licensing Justices at the Courts, Civic Centre, Bolton.