BOLTON-born property developer Carol Ainscow is involved in another multi-million pound scheme in Manchester.

Her company, Artisan Holdings Ltd, has acquired the four-acre site at the corner of Pollard Street and Great Ancoats Street.

Albion Works, which comprises a number of mill buildings dating from the turn of the last century, is described as a major development site for East Manchester.

It has a prominent position on the route to the City of Manchester Stadium and directly opposite the new Metrolink extension and station.

A mixed use development is due to include media office suites, residential luxury apartments and commercial units -- along the same lines as the successful development of the former Express newspaper buildings further along Great Ancoats Street.

Artisan says a new public square and the reinstating of the original Ashton Canal basin will form a central focus to the site.

work on the first phase is due to start next spring and be completed within a year. Carol, who made her first million by the time she was 27, has been responsible for several high-profile projects in Manchester, including luxury apartments and an award-winning gay cafe/bar on Canal Street.

She said today: "As well as continually developing key sites within the city, I believe Artisan is developing with a direction and vision that emulates the development proposals set out by both the city council and the Urban White Paper.

"We are creating a synchronisation by working in parallel with public bodies and other private consortiums."

She added: "I am certain that a development of this kind in this area of the city is vital to the community and will be a winner for all concerned.

"A lot has improved within Manchester over the past decade or so but there is still a lot to do.

"It is essential that the city council updates and improves the infrastructure of our city to keep up with the needs of the people."