A £1.5 million Technical Innovation Centre -- the first of its type in the country -- could be in operation in Bolton by September, 2003.

The pioneering project by the Northwest Development Agency and partners is aimed at encouraging innovation and creativity in young people in the 14-19 age group.

The purpose-designed, two-storey facility will be a hybrid of a university laboratory, a research and development workshop and an engineering tool-room.

It will be available to secondary school pupils across the town, year six pupils in primary schools and Bolton companies who need specific apprentice and management training.

Planning permission is being sought from Bolton Council to build it on diocesan land next to Mount St Joseph RC School in Farnworth.

A NWDA spokesperson said today: "The Bolton TIC will bring real benefits to the young people and existing businesses of Bolton.

"Additionally, the TIC has an important pioneering role to play as a practical demonstration of those benefits.

"We at the agency would like to see the concept duplicated elsewhere in the North-west and the country."

He added: "We believe that this pioneering project will make a significant difference to the skills, training and recruitment issues currently facing young people and employers in Bolton."

The project has developed over the past 18 months from an idea by Paul Abbott, a technology teacher at Mount St Josephs.

It has been embraced by key decision-makers as part of a regional innovation strategy which seeks to help North-west England regain its reputation as a world centre for technical and scientific ingenuity and enterprise.

Keith Harris, chairman of governors at the school, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for all the local schools in Bolton, secondary and primary."

Mr Harris, operations director for Eurodis HB Electronics, added: "The idea is to deliver students who have innovative ideas straight into industrial situations where they can use their skills."

The Bolton TIC will be a company operated by a partnership involving the NWDA, Bolton Council, Mount St Joseph School and the business community.

Details of the scheme are included in a letter which the NWDA has sent to local residents. Proposals include a new bus-bay for existing school bus services serving Mount St Joseph, reducing traffic congestion on Minerva Road at peak times.

An artist's impression of the new Technical Innovation Centre.