BOLTON comic Peter Kay swapped the stage for the Royal Bolton Hospital yesterday to unveil a new £155,000 maternity unit to accommodate parents of sick or premature babies.

The unit, named after tragic Bolton father Simon Pennington, provides modern living quarters for parents of new-born babies facing overnight stays in hospital.

Former Turton High School pupil Simon died after suffering severe head injuries when his car was involved in an accident with a lorry at Barton Bridge on the M60 two years ago. He was 27.

His mother Irene, a hospital podiatrist, has since raised thousands of pounds for CHAT, the Children's Hospital Appeals Trust, who funded the new unit in the Neo Natal Unit of the hospital's Princess Anne Maternity Unit. The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, launched the building project a year ago which culminated in the official opening.

Mrs Pennington, of Bromley Cross, said: "Our family feel very privileged that he has been remembered in this way. It is a very fitting tribute."

The Simon Pennington Unit features living rooms, bedrooms, en-suite bathroom facilities and televisions.

Gail Naylor, head of the hospital's midwifery services, added: "We can make parents feel very special at very traumatic times. It is a wonderful unit and a great honour to name it after Simon. Thanks to everyone who made it happen."

Funnyman Peter Kay, who today revealed details of a nationwide stand-up comedy tour, saw the new unit for himself.

He said: "I am overwhelmed. Getting asked to do something like this for such a good cause in your home town is very special to me. The unit is excellent and will provide much support for families. Come to think of it, I was born in this hospital!"

For an exclusive interview with Peter and a full list of dates with telephone booking details read tomorrow's 24:7, free only with the Bolton Evening News.

Peter Kay's tour dates

SEPTEMBER

16 Buxton: Opera House 0845 1272190

17 St Helens: Theatre Royal (On Line)

18 Preston: Guildhall (On Line)

19 Warrington: Parr Hall (On Line)

20 Blackburn: King Georges Hall (On Line)

21 Halifax: Victoria Theatre (On Line)

23 Southport Theatre (On Line)

24 Stoke on Trent: Victoria Hall (On Line)

25 Kendal: Leisure Centre (On Line)

26 Rhyl: Rhyl Theatre 01745 330000

27 Sheffield: City Hall (On Line)

28 Liverpool: Royal Court (On Line)

30 Hull: City Hall 01482 226655

OCTOBER

1 York: Grand Opera House (On Line)

2 Bradford: St Georges Hall (On Line)

3 Huddersfield: Town Hall (On Line)

4 Middlesbrough: Town Hall (On Line)

5 Newcastle: City Hall (On Line)

13 Birmingham: Hippodrome (On Line)

19 Brighton: Dome Theatre (On Line)

20 London: The Palace (On Line)

24 Ipswich: Regent (On Line)

25 Salisbury: City Hall (On Line)

26 Croydon: Ashcroft Theatre 0208 6889291

27 Bristol: Colston Hall (On Line)

28 Reading: Hexagon (On Line)

31 Coventry: Warwick Arts Cen 024 76523883

NOVEMBER

1 Oxford: Apollo (On Line)

2 Derby: Assembly Rooms (On Line)

4 Swindon: Wyvern Theatre (On Line)

7 Wolverhampton: Civic Hall (On Line)

12 Glasgow: Pavillion (On Line)

13 Aberdeen: Music Hall (On Line)

14 Iverness: Eden 01463 234234

16 Sunderland: Empire (On Line)

17 Carlisle: Sands Centre (On Line)

20 Nottingham: Royal Centre (On Line)

24 Leeds: Grand Theatre 0113 2226222

26 Portsmouth: Guildhall (On Line)

27 Bournemouth: Pavillion Theatre (On Line)

28 Cardiff: St Davids Hall 029 20878444

29 Cambridge: Corn Exchange (On Line)

30 Blackpool: Opera House (On Line)

DECEMBER

2 Manchester: Lowry Centre 0161 8762000

3 Manchester: Lowry Centre 0161 8762000

4 Manchester Lowry Centre

5 Manchester Lowry Centre

6 Manchester Lowry Centre

7 Manchester Lowry Centre