BOLTON Wanderers are "delighted" with the initial response to their brave move into the pop entertainment market.

Commercial director Gareth Moores believes enough people supported three "Big Light On" concerts over the weekend to keep the club on course for establishing it as an annual summer event. The Reebok's South Stand was used to accommodate fans watching the shows.

Mr Moores said today: "We have had more than 9,000 people for the first weekend at something which is very new to Bolton.

"Long term success will depend on people coming to support it - we are confident they will."

The Wanderers have spent 10 months preparing for a long-term venture which is designed to give the club additional revenue.

They are organising events themselves without the help of middle-men.

This weekend featured the Sugababes on Friday night, 1980s stars including T'Pau and Howard Jones on Saturday and Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra last night.

Big Light On - the brand which the Wanderers is seeking to establish - continues next weekend with Liberty X and others on Friday, a musical James Bond show on Saturday featuring Tony Hadley from Spandau Ballet and a Sunday night appearance by West End star Michael Ball - the act to attract the most advance interest so far.

The South Stand, which can seat 5,500 people, has not been filled to capacity, but Mr Moores - very much aware that he and the Wanderers staff are on a steep learning curve - says he is "absolutely delighted" with the venture so far.

"Our plan is to carry on next year," he said.

"I am confident that we will establish it long-term."

This year's experiment could see next summer's calendar of shows extended to bring in top comedy acts and classical music.

He considered the results so far to have been "fantastic."

Bolton's latest entertainment promoters were also not helped by the weather - it rained on Saturday night and it was distinctly chilly during the other shows.

Mr Moores said the artists performing had been delighted by the venue.

Tickets for shows range between £18.50 and £36.

Big Light On? The brand - which the Wanderers hope will be a summer feature from now on - has its origins in Peter Kay's stand-up comedy act and the spotlight which the Reebok is putting on top entertainers.