PLANS to boost Bolton town centre are expected to be revealed in about a month.

Senior officials and councillors have been working for six months on a strategy designed to reinvigorate the area over the next decade.

Discussions have involved key town organisations, including the Bolton Town Centre Company.

Pat Rattigan, the council's assistant director for economic regeneration and development, said that there was a chance to look at issues involving new developments, transport, access, parking and the range of retail outlets offered.

Developers will be interested in the Water Place site, the soon-to-be vacated Sainsbury's store in Flash Street, the former cinema in Bradshawgate and the Central Street area behind the Victoria Hall in Knowsley Street.

A consultation document is about to go before councillors. Members of the public would then have their chance to contribute their views -- either at a public metting or at a drop-in venue.

Mr Rattigan said that the scheme's aim was to attract more investment and visitors.

But he added that traders who wanted to come to Bolton needed larger retail units than those which were generally available.

Meanwhile, a league table for retail centres puts Bolton sixth in the North-west top ten -- the same as last year.

The town is behind Manchester, Chester, Liverpool, the Trafford Centre and Stockport but ahead of Preston, Warrington, Birkenhead and Bury.

The research, carried out by Experian and endorsed by the British Council of Shopping Centres, shows that Bolton fails to make the top 50 in the country -- unlike Manchester (5), Chester (11), Liverpool (18), the Trafford Centre (28) and Stockport (44).

Last year, Bolton was 58th, but this time Experian closed the list at 50.

Manchester climbed five places from last year, helped by regeneration and the Commonwealth Games.

Cathy Savage, Bolton Town Centre Company manager, said the ranking seemed to show that Bolton's standing was about the same as in previous years.