On January 14, 1253, an Earl signed a piece of parchment -- and Bolton suddenly got a few more rules and regulations. It sounds simple, but that Charter signed by William de Ferrers, the then lord of the manor, was an important and significant event.

It gave the town a chance to have a say on how it would be run and put it ahead of many of its neighbours.

And 750 years on, Bolton has fared pretty well.

The town's Mayor, Cllr John Walsh, thought so too, which is why he invited everyone to the spectacular Charter party at the weekend.

The idea of a big celebration came to the Mayor when he was sitting in his study writing his inaugural speech.

He spotted a copy of the town's Charter on the wall -- and after some quick sums realised that this year was the 750th anniversary. And this weekend, after months of work, it all came to fruition with last night's Charter Ball, a mediaeval market in the town centre today and tomorrow and special church services.

So what are we celebrating?

Back in the 1200s, Bolton already had the right to hold a market-- thanks to King Henry 111 -- but it was the 1253 Charter that turned Bolton into a mediaeval borough.

Fullers -- those who cleaned and thickened cloth by washing and beating it -- were allowed to ply their trade in Bolton, marking the town's first acquaintance with the textile trade.

It was that trade which was to help propel the town to international recognition. Flemish textile workers came to the area as long ago as the 1300s

One of the town's famous sons, Samuel Crompton, also helped to start the industrial revolution with his invention of the spinning mule which changed the face of textiles throughout the world.

William Hesketh Lever -- more commonly known as Lord Leverhulme -- was another who helped put Bolton on the map. From his simple start, selling Sunlight soap, he became a millionaire who gave his name to many areas of Bolton and who built the world famous Port Sunlight.

He was a great benefactor to the town bestowing it with Leverhulme Park, and the magnificently restored Hall i'th'Wood museum.

The Mayor said, "I am immensely proud of Bolton and to be its Mayor at this time of celebration," he said.