AN AMAZING gesture by a wealthy businessman has boosted the Bolton Evening News Coronary Care Appeal by a whopping £100,000.

Just three months after it was launched the appeal is now more than halfway to reaching the £1 million target to build a new heart unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital by 2003.

Bolton Wanderers director Eddie Davies has delved into his personal fortune to contribute to the appeal.

The generous benefactor has suffered a heart attack and knows only too well the pain and suffering caused in Bolton, which has a dire legacy of heart problems.

The 55-year-old father-of-two now lives on the Isle of Man but vows that he will never turn his back on Bolton, the town he still has strong links with.

Mr Davies said: "I have got Bolton written through me like a rock. I was been born and bred in Bolton and although I travel all over the world, I still pick up the paper to find out what's happening in Bolton. I'm still a Bolton lad at heart."

The former Farnworth Grammar School pupil, who has a son and daughter still living in the town, was so impressed with the Coronary Care Appeal that he decided to make a significant contribution.

He is executive chairman of the multi-national Strix Group, which makes thermostatic controls for small domestic appliances such as kettles.

A Strix control is used a billion times a day by more than 20pc of the world's population.

Mr Davies, who was awarded the OBE in 2000 for services to industry, is a keen Bolton Wanderers fan and regularly travels to see the Whites.

He is a director of the club and its parent company, Burnden Leisure plc and heard of the appeal through Wanderers' vice chairman and close friend Brett Warburton, who is also the appeal chairman.

Mr Davies said: "I had a heart bypass in 1996 and it has given me a new lease of life. This cause has done very well, but it still needs more local organisations to get behind it."

Brett Warburton, the bread tycoon, said he was very grateful for Mr Davies's generosity.

The appeal total now stands at £530,000, meaning the £1 million target is on the horizon.

Mr Warburton said: "Eddie has always been loyal to the Bolton area and what a wonderful way to show it.

"I hope others follow his example and help support this worthwhile appeal."

Mr Warburton thanked all those individuals, groups and companies who have also held fund-raising events or made donations.

He said: "Bolton people are really rallying round to help the appeal and it is tremendous to have reached this halfway mark.

"However, there is still a long way to go so I am asking more people to join in and give this appeal a further boost."

A room in the new unit will be named after Mr Davies in recognition of his donation.