A BOLTON hotel is to play an important role in the Games.

The Macdonald Last Drop Village and Hotel at Bromley Cross has been chosen by the BBC as the headquarters for its team of technical officials for the duration of the Games.

More than one billion people worldwide will watch the Games on television and the BBC will take a major role.

Much of the action will be in Manchester but the badminton is to be held at the £15 million Bolton Arena and cycling and mountain biking events are to be staged in the Rivington area.

Meanwhile, other hotels in the town are expecting to do well out of the Games.

There are no signs of the bonanza which is expected to be enjoyed by the industry in central Manchester but business is expected to be good.

The De Vere Whites at the Reebok Stadium reports that it is currently running at just over 60 per cent occupancy for the Games period, with certain dates fully-booked.

"This week we have had a lot of direct inquiries from individuals," a spokesperson said. "It is beginning to pick up."

Geoffrey Bennette, Bolton Council's Tourism & Promotions Manager, said accommodation for the period of the Games was still available at all levels.

Business appeared to be steady at the moment but he expected many people to make decisions as they got nearer the time.

It was possible that people from other parts of the country who obtained tickets for Games events might want to extend their stay in the area. Although Bolton hotels were not as busy as first optimistic predictions suggested, he was confident that demand for accommodation would build in June and July.

The Games are certainly making a difference for the Melrose Hotel in Chorley New Road.

"I would say we will be booked up pretty soon now," a spokesperson said.

Kevin Hanlon, manager of the Holiday Inn on Beaumont Road, Bolton, said the Games had been good for business and he expected the hotel to be full while they were on. "I would like them to be held monthly," he joked.

At the Pack Horse in Nelson Square, manager Angus Macneil said the hotel was currently three-quarters full for the period of the Games.

They were hoping demand would take off again nearer the time.