A £35 MILLION investment project -- made possible by a unique land swap deal -- is nearing completion in Horwich.

Atlanta-based Georgia-Pacific says it will protect 450 manufacturing jobs and provide "an excellent platform for further development and increased manufacturing capacity".

The final chapter is being written in a story which began five years ago when the soft tissue manufacturer Fort James and Tesco realised that their respective interests would be served by swapping land.

Managements, unions, MPs and councillors combined to fight the case and eventually the Government agreed after a public inquiry was held into the proposals.

The arrangement involved Tesco moving to a site previously occupied by Fort James in Greenpine Road, off Mansell Way.

Fort James, which has now been acquired by Georgia-Pacific, then took over the old Tesco premises which were adjacent to its existing facilities.

The disjointed nature of the old site meant that production lines were split and the future of the operation in Horwich was questionable.

But since the deal went through Georgia-Pacific has been able to carry out a major restructuring of operations which has enabled the company to bring in and operate the type of equipment which makes Horwich a world class manufacturing facility. The former Tesco building is now a storage facility for Georgia-Pacific and the supermarket car park accommodates workers' vehicles.

Tesco has opened a thriving new store not far from the Reebok Stadium and everybody is happy.

Richard Bourdon, managing director of Georgia-Pacific GB Ltd, said: "Georgia-Pacific has been an important part of the Bolton economy for over 50 years and we are delighted that this investment will enable us to strengthen our commitment to the area both now and in the future.

"The new state of the art facilities at our Horwich headquarters make us ideally placed to operate in the increasingly competitive soft tissue marketplace."

He added: "We should like to thank everyone who has made this possible and, in particular, the support we have received from our employees, trade unions, local MPs and councillors."

The Horwich conversion site produces between 70,000 and 80,000 tonnes of toilet and kitchen rolls each year.

An official ceremony is planned later in the year to mark the completion of the new investment project.