BOLTON'S Coronary Care Unit Appeal has been declared a resounding success after a fantastic £1.3m was raised.

"We asked. You gave. It was built. It's now open."

Those were the words of chief fundraiser Jenny Walsh as Bolton's Coronary Care Appeal came to an end on Wednesday night.

The people of Bolton raised the £1.3 million needed to get the Coronary Care Unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital up and running in an amazing two years.

And organisers said a massive thank you to everyone who raised money -- large or small -- at a party held at the Reebok Stadium.

The campaign, launched by the Bolton Evening News in February 2002, saw Bolton people of all ages join in to raise the money vital to saving people's lives.

Dr Peter Scott, lead cardiologist at the state-of-the-art unit, which opened in December, underlined the importance of the facility. He said: "Heart disease is the biggest cause of death in this country, and the North-west tends to be worse.

"Patients need an environment in which they can recover well and the quality of the facilities provided, as well as the excellent staff, is first class."

Coronary Care Unit modern matron Tracy Higgerson and sister Kate Lewis gave a presentation to the 250 guests, comparing the old unit to the new. The Smithills School Senior Big Band entertained the guests, as did compere Norman Prince, who has regularly donated his time -- and jokes -- for many of the fund-raising events.

Many people were thanked for their efforts, including Bolton Wanderers owner Eddie Davies, who donated a total of £200,000. Another was Pauline Millington, aged 63, from Horwich, who got involved in the appeal after reading about it in the Bolton Evening News.

After being presented with a crystal bowl, she said: "The hospital has done so much for me and this was a way of doing something for them."

Mrs Millington, who suffers from severe arthritis and diabetes, raised thousands of pounds holding stalls and could regularly be seen raising money in the main corridor of the hospital with the help of her friend Carol Walker, also from Horwich.

The Women's Royal Voluntary Service have raised £150,000 since the appeal started, in their three hospital shops and by serving patients and visitors refreshments.

Former Mayor, Cllr John Walsh, raised more than £40,000 for the appeal. Cllr Walsh started the fundraising at the start of his mayoral year and finished his duties by cutting the first sod to the unit. He said: "I am absolutely thrilled that the people of Bolton really did support us in a magnificent way."

Bank Top guides attended the party after they raised £1,200 through a midnight hike and sleepover, as well as £500 packing bags at Big W supermarket.

Bernard and Winnie Critchley raised £535 in April 2003 when they celebrated their Golden Wedding by asking people to donate to the appeal, rather than accept presents.

Chairman of the Appeal, Brett Warburton, said: "I felt quietly confident that the goal, although ambitious, could be reached given time and commitment. I don't think any of us appreciated then just how much the appeal really would be at the heart of the community."