BOLTON is the place to live as far as the North-west's top wage earners are concerned.

Figures reveal that "high-flyers" are moving to the town at a faster rate than many of the traditional rich-list locations in Cheshire and The Wirral.

Bolton now has the second-busiest housing market in the country after London, with estate agency chiefs praising its fast rail and motorway links, and its proximity to the countryside and country parks. One in 20 wage earners in Bolton now earns more than £60,000 a year, a survey by Barclays Financial Planning has revealed.

And there are 40 per cent more high wage earners in the town than a year ago, according to the survey.

The high flyers' growth rate for Bolton easily outstrips more obvious locations for affluent homebuyers such as Altrincham, The Wirral, Congleton and Tatton.

But fears were today expressed that a "great divide" was emerging in Bolton after a Government report revealed it had dropped into a list of the 50 most deprived areas of the North-west for the first time.

But Bolton Council's new Liberal Democrat deputy leader, Cllr Roger Hayes, said: "Bolton is a wonderful place to live and I am not surprised that people are choosing to come here and set up home.

"I am, however, worried that we are seeing a great divide and we need to tackle the level of inequality by generating more jobs and more security in employment for those at the lower end of the scale."

Despite the fears, house sales in the borough are booming, according to Land Registry figures. The volume of sales increased by nearly 20 per cent in the year leading up to May 2004.

Average house prices in Bolton are now £81,682 for a flat, £88,997 for a semi, and £206,372 for a detached property. homes in Lostock, Heaton and fringe areas including Edgworth and Turton are quickly being snapped up.

Derek Anderson, director of estate agents Edwards and Co, said there had been more interest in prestige homes.

"We are seeing a clear increase in the number of inquiries about high-profile, higher-priced homes," he said. "The number of properties priced over a million pounds are increasing.

"More affluent buyers are attracted to the town's first class state and private education facilities, excellent rail and motorway links, and its proximity to the countryside and country parks."

But the Government poverty report, a "deprivation top 50" list compiled by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, is considered to be the most comprehensive assessment of the problem in England.

The study found that the borough was among the worst when it came to low incomes, poor housing, crime, and opportunities in education and employment.

Liverpool topped the list, with Manchester in second place. Bolton is in 50th place.