TOURISM in Bolton jumped by a fifth last year, boosting the local economy.

The number of visitors heading to the town increased by 1.6 million last year to 8.4 million.

It meant expenditure soared by five per cent from £157 million to £165 million.

And the reason, tourism bosses say, is the quality of attractions, with seven having been granted the prestigious Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service Award -- previously received only by nationally acclaimed attractions such as the London Eye and Manchester United Museum.

Local names which now appear on the list include Bolton Parish Church, Bolton Museum, Smithills Hall, Smithills Open Farm, Ye Olde Man and Scythe, Hall i' th' Wood and Animal World & Butterfly House.

Cllr Martyn Cox, Bolton Council's executive member for culture, said the borough had established itself as one of the top tourism centres in the north west.

He said: "We are delighted so many of our visitor attractions have now met the criteria for this prestigious accreditation.

"We already know our borough offers a quality visitor experience but it's great to see it officially recognised this way.

"Many of the businesses have benefited from the tourism support and grant funding we are able to offer and we will continue to look at how we can continue to boost this important area in the future."

The awards are presented by VisitBritain, the former English Tourism Council, who carry out a series of assessments taking into account everything from arrival, to the attraction itself, toilets, catering and retailing.

The council's Education and Culture Department has been supporting the organisations to achieve the grade through its tourism grant funding which helps develop businesses in this area.

John Jewitt, landlord at Ye Olde Man and Scythe, said he had noticed an increase in trade since receiving the award in January.

He said: "It has raised the profile of the pub and helped to put us on the map.

"The award has also helped us to get across the importance of Bolton's mediaeval history which is often overshadowed by our industrial heritage."