AN all-encompassing approach to tackling homelessness has led to Bolton being hailed by the Government as an example to the rest of the country.

Bolton Council is one of 54 authorities in England and Wales to be awarded prestigious Beacon status in recognition of their pioneering work in various fields.

Bolton will receive a share of a £5 million pot set aside to help other authorities learn from the winners.

Before granting the award, a team of experts visited the town to examine projects dealing with homelessness and were impressed with the breadth of Bolton schemes compared to those of other councils. The Bolton focus is on preventing people at risk from falling into difficulties as much as helping those who already have. The help is often provided in co-operation with voluntary sector organisations.

Projects include:

Bolton Bond Board -- providing rental deposits for individuals struggling to find somewhere to live.

Winterwatch -- offering shelter, food, clothing, health care and showers to homeless people at a drop-in centre at Spa Mill, Spa Road.

Streetlife -- a connected project aimed at taking those sleeping rough off the street and supporting them.

BASE -- training homeless young people in employable skills in a hostel environment.

Many of these initiatives spring from the work of a forum of more than 40 agencies, with the homeless themselves also given a say.

Cllr John Byrne, executive member for housing strategy, welcomed Bolton's success.

He said: "This is fantastic news for Bolton. To achieve this status we have been compared with the best from around the country."

Trafford was the only other council in the North-west to win the accolade for tackling homelessness.

Council leader Cllr Bob Howarth said: "We are extremely proud of the way agencies pull together and make a real positive difference to the borough's most vulnerable and excluded citizens."

Local government minister Nick Raynsford said: "We are delighted that Bolton has achieved Beacon status for the first time.

"The authority's achievement is a real example of how a good service can make a real difference to people's lives."

The Beacon status scheme was launched in 1999 to identify excellence in local government and enable it to be shared with others.