BOLTON has been handed a £21million cash boost in a bid to halt the town's industrial decline.

Thousands of jobs are now likely to be created across the borough as civic leaders look to boost the area's skill base, making it more attractive to outside investors.

People will be given computer training and existing businesses will be handed cash to expand.

It is hoped the drive for a boom town will overturn the unemployment caused by the loss of Bolton's manufacturing base.

The news of the European Community cash handout was announced yesterday -- a day when Bolton suffered a double jobs blow with hundreds of Bolton workers now facing the prospect unemployment. Workers at Transco's regional headquarters in Bolton fear their jobs are under threat and job losses are expected at a Bolton protective clothing company which has just announced plans to transfer production abroad. Bolton Council chiefs now plan to use part of the European cash windfall to set up an economic development zone in Horwich, Blackrod and Westhoughton at a cost of £10.6 million.

Firms will be encouraged to move into the zone. Grants will be available for buying land or converting and refurbishing property.

Existing firms looking to expand are also set to benefit, especially those thinking of using brownfield sites and derelict buildings.

And extra millions will be ploughed into making outside companies aware of the many unemployed aerospace industry workers available -- a highly skilled group of people recently rocked by the closure of key firms.

More than £6.7 million will go towards supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Just under £3.5 million is set to be spent on turning community projects into businesses.

Cllr Frank White, who helped place the bid for European cash, said: "This will create employment opportunities. Companies looking to expand into the area will be made fully aware of the grants available here.

"We also hope that excellent training will mean Bolton has a solid skill base from which firms could draw."

The multi-million pound boost has come from the European Regional Development Fund. A total of 13 North-west authorities will benefit, with 33,000 jobs created across the region.