A POPULAR focal point for Bolton Scouts will move from its manor house home in Over Hulton after more than 50 years.

The campsite at Hulton Park has been host to thousands of Bolton Scouts, Cubs, Beavers and Guides over the years, as an annual retreat for group outings.

A new home has been chosen at Heath Charnock, near Chorley, after the lease agreement at Over Hulton, which had been kept minimal for the Scouts, increased following the death of the landowner.

Sir Geoffrey Hulton, who owned the land, had leased out the venue to the scouts for a "peppercorn rent" out of generosity.

Scout leaders could not afford the increased rent at the end of the 21-year-old lease, and decided to move to new premises at Bibby's Farm.

Wooden huts on the 28-acre plot, which were used as bases by the Scouts, have also been the victim of serious arson attacks over the years.

One fire destroyed camp site buildings - just hours after a major facelift was completed.

The final licks of paint had only just been applied to the structures after a previous arson attack a year earlier.

The site had originally housed the residence of Sir Geoffrey, but after he moved into a nearby cottage, the grounds of the property were leased to the Scouts. Hulton Park has been host to some of the largest Scouting events in the region, such as the 1990 Bolton Jamboree, which attracted more than 600 Scouts and 1,000 Cubs.

Scout leaders are now organising a closing weekend camp in September for the base, when more than 600 Scouts and Cubs will visit the site.

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Prentice Howarth, will also visit the camp. Ex-Scouts are being asked to attend to reminisce about their time at the site.

Chairman of Bolton Scout Trust Stephen Lewis said it was sad to see the site closing.

He added: "It has been here for an awful long time ands there will be a lot of Scouts who enjoyed times at the camp.

"We are hoping many of our ex-Scouts will return to say goodbye to the camp."

Ex-Scouts are being invited to the Hulton Park camp on Saturday 18 September between 2 and 5pm.

Attendance is by permit only which can be obtained from local Scout districts: Norman Moran at Bolton North on 01204 402984, Freda Haslam at Bolton South on 01942 812179, David Bootland at Bolton East on 01706 823725, Margaret Barlow at Bolton West on 01204 693359 and Colin Hilton at Farnworth on 01204 573012.