BOLTON could become a happier, healthier, cleaner and more exciting place to live over the next 10 years, if a major plan for the future is put into action.

The plans for Bolton's Community Strategy have been outlined after five years of preparation which has involved voluntary groups, the private sector, Bolton Council and schools working together to decide what is good about the borough, what can be changed and how.

Thousands of residents have also been consulted about their likes and dislikes through questionnaires.

Bolton's vision for the future has proved so successful that it has influenced Government policy and every area of the country will now be expected to complete a similar blueprint.

The top three likes of residents proved to be the shops, Bolton's location and the friendliness of the people.

One resident said: "Going on holiday is great, but coming home and seeing my town over the hill on St Peter's Way makes me feel so proud." However, the main dislikes proved to be litter, transport and parking, and crime.

The youngest children who were quizzed claimed they would like a chocolate palace to be built in the town, as well as moving Bolton nearer to the coast.

The main aims of the Vision for the Future Partnership will be to improve deprived areas of Bolton, as seven wards are in the 10 most deprived areas of the country, and to raise the quality of life of the most disadvantaged communities.

Targets have been set to transform health and well-being, local living and the environment, life-long learning and potential, safety, crime and drugs, and the economy and employment.

The numerous targets include reducing the number of vacant shops by five per cent per year, encouraging a healthier lifestyle for schoolchildren by 2004, and reducing the number of drug-related deaths next year.

Richard Hurst, chairman of the partnership steering group, said: "We want Bolton to become a vibrant, healthy and prosperous place to be."