TOP bands could soon be heading to town after council chiefs approved a £335,000 cash handout to revamp the Bolton Arena.

The move could see some of the biggest names in music and comedy playing at the Arena in addition to it staging major sporting events such as boxing and Davis Cup tennis.

Arena bosses have drawn-up plans for a major change of direction at the borough's flagship sports centre after the withdrawal of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).

But, despite being backed by the council's culture bosses, the plans could still be shot down by opposition councillors who have invoked a little used clause to put the plans before a full meeting of the council. The Arena is attractive because it is a medium-sized venue capable of holding up to 6,000 people for concerts and already holds a licence to stage big events. It is hoped that its unusual size and easy access to the motorways would attract bands not able to sell out the biggest venues - such as the 20,000 seater Manchester Arena - but who have outgrown smaller venues such as the Manchester Apollo, capable of holding around 2,000.

Talks have also taken place with officials from the world renowned Manchester club, the Comedy Store, about staging regular shows featuring the country's best-known comedians in a smaller 300 capacity room.

Under the plans revealed yesterday, the Arena will receive a loan of £335,000 from the council in addition to an annual payment of around £100,000 a year.

The money would be used to adapt the main hall to enable it to stage major events.

Four outdoor clay tennis courts would also be ripped-up and replaced with four top quality artificial turf five-a-side football pitches as the sports centre aims to become less reliant on tennis for its income.

Changing rooms will also be expanded to accommodate the large number of people using the fitness suites.

Since the Arena opened two-years-ago, the LTA has withdrawn plans to base a national academy and regional office at the Arena as well as staging a national tournament there.

Acting chief executive Mike Bain admitted the move had hit the Arena's finances. But he added: "Tennis has been a success here - in fact, we are approaching the maximum levels of revenue we can expect to pull in from the sport.

"We believe we have the facilities to offer the borough a lot more and we are looking at ways of doing that."

An earlier agreement between the Lawn Tennis Association and Bolton Council has so far limited the type of non-tennis events which can be staged there.

But council chiefs are confident the deal can be renegotiated to allow events to be held.

Keith Davies, assistant director of education and culture, claimed early negotiations with the LTA had been encouraging.

He said: "The LTA accept that many of the initial opportunities for the Arena do not exist and that they need to be replaced." The plans may now need the backing of a majority in the council chamber following a move by Tory councillors.

Leading Conservative Cllr John Walsh said: "My colleagues and I believe that issues affecting the budget should be put before the full council at a time when we are considering next year's Council tax rise."

The Arena was set up three years ago with a £11.3 million grant from Sport England, £3 million from Bolton Council and £950,000 from the LTA.

Cllr Laurie Williamson, executive member for culture, said: "I am sure events such as these would be a massive boost to the town.