THE town's new mayor John Walsh has set his heart on a very special appeal this year.

He has chosen the Bolton Evening News-backed Bolton Coronary Care Appeal as his adopted charity.

Together with other organisations and the generosity of the public, the Royal Bolton Hospital hopes to raise £1 million to build a new heart unit by 2003.

Just three months after it was launched, the appeal is now more than half way to reaching its target.

The Mayor and Mayoress will also support Bolton Sea Cadets, Canon Slade School Appeal, Smithills School, Barnardo's and other local charities. Retiring Mayor Cllr Kevan Helsby and Mayoress Alice Kilcoyne have raised more than £20,000 for their adopted charities, Christie's Hospital and Bolton Hospice.

"The town has a proud record of working for charity and I want to help in any way that I can."

Bolton has a poor record of heart disease and coronary health. In 2000-01, a total of 570 patients were treated in the existing coronary care unit, but it is 30 years old and has just six beds.

The Mayor said: "I hope people will join me in supporting this important charity. Together we can make an impact on improving the health of the people of Bolton.