Little Lever will be at the centre of an ambitious scheme to transform Bolton's waterways.

The £32 million investment programme involving British Waterways and the Waterways Trust will see vast tracts of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury canal restored.

Little Lever has been chosen as the site for a tourist information centre which will provide a focus for the whole network because of its unusual six locks.

The area is also considered to be a potential site for restaurant boats, fishing facilities and cycle paths.

It is hoped that a total 6,000 new jobs and £6 million a year in tourism will be generated overall by the canal renovation project, which was announced earlier this year. work on the Little Lever information centre could start in two years.

Experts are now putting together a detailed blueprint which will be used to apply to Bolton Council for planning permission.

Marcus Chaloner, project manager, said: "The information centre at Little Lever will very much provide a focus for the whole of the canal in this area.

"Wherever you get a group of locks together, there is a lot of potential. People love watching the locks working and we believe this will pull in visitors."

The canal runs from Salfordpast Kearsley where it splits into two sections -- the left arm leading to Bolton through Little Lever and other to Bury. Phase one of the renovation work between Salford and Bury will start as early as next year. Phase two will focus on the Bolton section, possibly starting the following year.

The canal deteriorated due to a combination of competition from the rail industry and damage which was never repaired and navigation ceased in 1962.But it still boasts 12 listed structures, including the Prestolee and Clifton Aqueducts.