TRANSPORT bosses have increased the frequency of buses and trains going to Bolton's two Comonwealth Games venues.

Pressure from the Bolton Evening News and Bolton Council has persuaded Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive to lay on more buses and trains.

There will now be an increased service in the morning and evenings to coincide with event start and finish times.

Buses and trains will run as frequently as every 30 minutes.

Trains travelling to Blackpool North from Bolton will now make an extra stop at Horwich Parkway.

It means there are now two trains an hour to Bolton Arena, which will host the badminton event. A free shuttle bus will take cycling fans from there to Rivington.

The bus timetable has also been amended to establish a more regular pattern.

The 127 bus will now leave Bolton en route to the arena as early as 7.38am, which will get fans to the venue an hour before the badminton starts, a time recommended by Games organisers.

Buses will also be on hand to pick up people after each badminton and cycling session ends to ensure no spectators are left stranded.

Bolton man Keith Howcroft, director of planning for the GMPTE, said: "We listened to what people had to say and decided to alter the timetables.

"It's now a much more regular pattern and we hope it will suit spectators' needs to a better degree."

It will take nine minutes to travel by train from Bolton to Horwich Parkway, and 25 minutes by bus.

Mr Howcroft is in talks with train operator First North Western to see if more carriages can be added to trains at peak times when the Games are on.

People travelling to the venues from Manchester will be told to get on trains at Piccadilly station. Posters at the station will give passengers full information about travel arrangements to Bolton.

Mr Howcroft added: "The Commonwealth Games will provide a fantastic opportunity for Bolton and we hope our new plans will give the town a boost."

NINE lucky readers will be off to see the Games next week after winning a competition in the Bolton Evening News, which was held in conjunctin with the Bolton Forum for Sport and the Health, Sport and Inclusion Team.

The lucky winners, who will each receive a pair of tickets, are: Steve Hughes, of Westhoughton; Ivy Brabbin, of Great Lever; David Smith, of Blackrod; David Rimmer, of Bolton; Joanne Patterson, of Bromley Cross; David Jolley, of Harwood; Margaret Boydell, of Bolton; Mr Peters, of Bolton; and Margaret Indricks, of Leigh.