STAMP duty on properties in eight of Bolton's wards is to be scrapped, the Chancellor has announced.

The move, which affects business and residential property worth up to £150,000, is aimed at encouraging investment and enterprise in deprived areas.

Those purchasing property in Farnworth, Tonge, Halliwell, Burnden, Breightmet, Harper Green, Derby and Central wards will benefit.

The same applies to those in Little Hulton, Ince, Leigh Central, Atherton and Hindley as well as Bury's Redvales, East and Besses.

Chancellor Gordon Brown also announced a reduction in VAT to five per cent on the costs of conversion to residential property and renovating property empty for three years or more.

There will be relief from VAT on the sale of renovated houses that have been empty for ten years or more; 150 per cent tax credit for the costs of cleaning up contaminated sites and tax relief for the costs of converting redundant space over shops into flats.

Bolton MPs have welcomed Chancellor Gordon Brown's cash boost for the NHS.

David Crausby and Brian Iddon praised the Government for allocating a further £1 billion to the country's ailing health service.

And they also highlighted the pension increase of more than £100 a year which Mr Crausby, MP for Bolton North-east, said "would be a huge boost for all pensioners in Bolton."

Mr Iddon, MP for Bolton South-east, said: "The Pre-Budget Report is a great boost for the people of Bolton. Gordon Brown has delivered more money for the NHS and more support for pensioners."

There are also new measures to support businesses in the town and to create new jobs.

Andrew Ratcliff, chief executive of Bolton and Bury Chamber, has welcomed the simplification of VAT and payroll.

But he said: "The Chancellor's decision to consult on a statutory right to time-off for training will strike fear in the hearts of smaller employers because of the potential cost and disruption it could cause." Regeneration Minister Lord Falconer said: "I will encourage businesses and homeowners both to locate and thrive in wards that badly need investment."