BOLTON Institute could be set to launch another bid for university status as early as January after experts hailed their performance in research league tables a success.

Institute chiefs have described results in the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) league tables as a "convincing improvement" -- despite falling 29 places since they were last published five years ago.

And they say the scores puts Bolton on a level footing with new universities such as Central Lancashire and East Anglia as well as some established ones such as Leeds and UMIST.

The RAE tables assess the quality of research in all higher education institutions through a process of comparing them with each other.

This year's tables place Bolton at 125 out of 136. When the tables were last published in 1996, Bolton was placed at 96.

But Institute director of research Professor Dick Horrocks described their placing in the tables as misleading when compared with the individual results.

"The criteria by which the tables are put together is based on how many staff you put forward for assessment," he said.

"We have tried to give as comprehensive a picture as possible and put 25 per cent of our staff forward.

"Some universities have put a lot less than this forward so it stands to reason that if you only put your best forward for assessment you are going to get a better mark."

The Institute submitted nine subjects for assessment and all but one -- management -- improved their points score compared to the last assessment.

The points awarded range from one to five. For the first time in its history, the Institute received four points for its metallurgy and materials department.

"We are now a First Division institute," said Prof Horrocks.

"If you consider the Premiership as those who score five points then we are talking of the Oxfords and Cambridges. But this ranking means we are on a par with many universities. It recognises our research as being internationally important."

The RAE results are used to determine how £1 billion of funding for research is shared out.

Last time the Institute received £350,000 but Prof Horrocks said that, given the results, he was expecting more this time.

"This money is not vital to us because we are a £29 million business, but we would expect to be recognised for these results," he said.

Last year, staff at the Institute were left reeling after their bid for university status was rejected by the Privy Council.

But Prof Horrocks said the RAE results bode well for future bids for the status -- which would not bring in any more money directly but would raise the profile of both the Institute and the town.

"We have to be bullish about these results. It is a case of 'watch this space' as far as I am concerned," he said.

"There will be a meeting of the governors in January and I expect a university bid to be a high priority after these results.

"We are already performing better than a lot of new universities -- and some traditional ones.

"We have moved away from the hole that was left when our two-year fight for the status was rejected last time. This time I think any bid will be taken more seriously than ever."