DOZENS of people watched the start of celebrations to mark the 750th anniversary of the granting of Bolton's Charter making the town a free borough.

The Mayor, Cllr John Walsh, dressed in his formal robes, re-enacted the proclamation of the charter as shoppers and town centre workers gathered to watch and listen to the ceremony on Tuesday.

Town crier Barry McQueen announced the start of the proceedings.

And then in front of the specially-created mediaeval archway in Churchgate, points from the charter were read by pupils from Canon Slade School.

Cllr Walsh said: "I'm proud to be Mayor at such an important time as this. The Charter is worth celebrating -- it put Bolton on the map."