BOLTON Institute is to recycle five trees which are holding up building and redevelopment work at the Eagle site in College Way.

The trees are hindering the project at the Bolton Incubator Unit and a redevelopment of the Institute's Student Centre which includes a new-look entrance for Eagle Mall.

The American Balsam Poplars had been planted in thin soil, allowing roots to lift and cause extensive damage to drains running under the site.

When the trees are felled they will be used in the Art and Design department for sculpture purposes

Remaining trees will be shredded to provide environmentally friendly ground cover for when the site is landscaped.

An institute spokesperson said nobody knew who had planted the trees but they showed on site photographs from 1968.

The Bolton Incubator will house up to 12 technical textiles (or similar) new businesses which will have access to the institute's advanced materials "wet" laboratories and other facilities earmarked for the Textiles Centre.

It will be supported by the Northwest Development Agency through £760,000 funding.

Help for new businesses will include the provision of office and workshop facilities, company secretarial, accounting and IT support, introductions to finance providers and networking opportunities.

An experienced non-executive chairman will be appointed to each company to help with problem solving and business development.