TWO dental laboratories are merging in order to strengthen their futures.

But the Bolton Dental Laboratory in Gaskell Court and the Swift Dental Laboratory in Robert Street, Hindsford, Atherton, will continue to trade under their respective names.

The Bolton business, which employs 45 people just off Churchgate, is to transfer early next year to a second-floor extension at the former community centre premises which house Swift's 35 employees.

Swift managing director Roy McGillivray said it was hoped to increase the combined workforce of 80 to 100 next year.

"We have made a conscious decision to combine the best two labs in the North-west," Mr McGillivray said.

Mr Colin Lee, joint managing director of the Bolton company, said the idea was to give greater security to everybody involved.

The decision to merge has followed a number of approaches to both laboratories from large corporate businesses.

Mr McGillivray said that after talks it was agreed that it was "an extremely viable proposition" for Bolton and Swift to be brought together under one roof.

The combined companies, which provide independent facilities for any type of dental laboratory work, plan further investment in the latest technology and possible acquisitions.

Swift was established 17 years ago by Mr McGillivray and fellow director Mark Stevenson.

It started in Bag Lane, Atherton, and moved to Thomas Street, Atherton, before transferring to its current site in 1993.

Bolton Dental Laboratory started in Deane in 1973 and has been in its present premises for about 20 years.

Mr Lee said fellow director Colin Dean and the original owners were now looking for a new tenant.