BOLTON'S skyline is set to change forever as one of its tallest buildings is cut down to size.

Deane Tower on the site of Bolton Institute is to be chopped from an eight-storey building to one with just three floors.

The remaining structure will be reclad in an ambitious scheme costing £6 million.

Colin Hubbard, director of finance and estates, said the current building, which has many of its exterior tiles missing, had outlived its life.

It was supposed to be up for 20 years but has lasted for more than 30.

And with structural problems dogging the 1960s style building, Institute bosses have decided to take drastic action.

Mr Hubbard said: "We thought about complete demolition but after analysis it was decided that part demolition was the most ideal path.

"The main boiler is at the bottom of the tower and it would have been very costly to move." The plan is likely to take shape from July 2003 once the mass of asbestos is removed from the building.

It follows a complete re-think of the whole Deane Campus in a scheme which could eventually cost £12 million.

The first phase includes creating a new student centre on the Institute's Eagle site as well as a set of laboratories.

Half of the cost of the first phase will be met by the Higher Education Funding Council.

Mr Hubbard said: "The revamped building will suit our needs better. We don't need the top five floors because we don't have a problem with space.

"We'll have a more streamlined campus which makes full use of the space we have available while cutting out the costs of heating and maintaining such a large building."

The Institute has not yet sought planning permission but envisages doing so early next year.