UPGRADING an historic landmark will help secure 100 jobs thanks to a £120,000 cash boost.

The towering Victoria Mill has been a feature of the Atherton skyline since the 1860s. Once a major employer in the the town during its textile heyday, the Bolton Old Road mill is again the hub of activity, as home to three different businesses: Readybase, Homebake and Alphason.

A £120,000 grant from Atherton Building Communities will partly fund much-needed roof repairs and window replacements, ensuring about 40 jobs are retained and another 60 are created.

Victoria Mill has been at the centre of recent controversy with people living nearby objecting to business use, describing the building as an "eyesore" and calling for its demolition.

But the ABC board eventually hopes to see the whole of Victoria Mill returned to its former glory.

Local Labour councillors have welcomed the facelift programme for the mill -- one of the three remaining cotton mill buildings which still dominate the townscape.

Cllr Mark Aldred said: "It will secure a local company employing local people as well as improving the surrounding area."

Cllr Susan Loudon added: "In less than three years we have seen all our three mills returned to use; creating employment for local people and giving them job opportunities within walking distance of their homes.

"I hope that Ena Mill, Howe Bridge Mill and now Victoria Mill will find businesses to fill their many floors and create even more jobs for local people."

Cllrs Aldred and Loudon are now pushing for phase two of the project which will include access from Bolton Road taking traffic away from local schools. But Liberal Democrat Cllr Robert Bleakley said when he canvassed the area for views residents said the mill should be demolished.

He said: "I'm annoyed that people want to waste public money on that rat-infested monstrosity. It is unbelievable.

"We are living in the 21st century and there should be brand new state-of-the-art industrial units to house these businesses. People don't want this eyesore, they would rather have new industrial buildings or houses."