WITH just 50 days to go until the Commonwealth Games get under way, Bolton Council is marking the occasion with the presentation of the 50th in a series of special grants.

Grants of up to £1,000 have been made available by Bolton Council to help people celebrate the biggest sporting event the country has seen for decades. Thousands of competitors, support staff and spectators will be descending on the area in July with badminton and three cycling competitions being held at Bolton Arena and on the West Pennine Moors above the town.

Grants given out so far have helped a wide range of events -- from a street parties to talent competitions and from African percussion workshops to a summer equestrian show.

"Fifty days before the Games seemed the right time to present our latest cheques, bringing our total to 50 cheques and £50,000," said Cllr John Byrne, Bolton Council executive member for the Commonwealth Games."

"The take up of the grants has been excellent. The whole point of making the money available was so that as many people as possible could get in a 'Games' mood and the people of the borough have certainly taken the celebrations on board.

"Up to now we have given out £50,000. There's £25,000 still available but applications will have to close on July 1 to given time for bids to be processed and allocated so I would urge people to move quickly if they are planning a Games event," he said.