THE Royal Bolton Hospital has swept up in national spot check inspections -- being given its second green light for cleanliness.

The hospital, which was last month rated just one-star in Government performance league tables, has been revealed as a shining example when it comes to standards of cleanliness.

The hospital won its first green status earlier this year when the government introduced a traffic light system to target hospital cleanliness.

Now the government has awarded Bolton its second green light.

However, Bury's Fairfield Hospital, which was awarded a two star in the government's league table ratings sytem, was given just a yellow light, meaning it has "acceptable" standards of hygiene.

John Brunt, Chief Executive of Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust said that he was delighted that the Royal Bolton Hospital had maintained its status as excellent, in the ratings.

Mr Brunt said: "We are very keen that the hospital has a pleasant environment for patients and visitors and the staff who work here.

"Cleanliness is a major part of that, but it is also about decoration, state of repair and the whole experience of being at the hospital, which we want to be a positive one.

"Staff work hard to achieve these high standards and the fact that we have maintained our status is a credit to them."

The hospital has been recognised nationally for its work modernising old fashioned "Nightingale" wards and has chalked up awards for its gardens in the North-west in Bloom competition.

Top cancer hospital The Christie has scored one of the highest ratings in the national Clean Hospital programme.

The Christie Hospital, which serves the North-west including Bolton, has received the highest green rating since the government programme began -- and is the cleanest hospital in the country.

A Christie spokesman praised staff for the result adding that the hospital was pleased to put staff in the spotlight for the "very best" reasons.