A FORMER Bolton weightlifter is hoping the town's contribution to the Commonwealth Games next year will be pure gold.

For record breaker Jim Halliday is a man who would accept nothing less.

The 83-year-old has competed in two Commonwealth Games -- in New Zealand in 1950 and Canada in 1954 -- bagging gold medals each time.

He has lent his full support to Manchester 2002, urging Bolton's leaders to make the most of the event. He said: "I would like Manchester and Bolton to set an example in this event. Not only can we send clear messages condemning drugs in sport, but we can show the world that we can put on a Games to rival anything that has gone before."

Mr Halliday, of Tonge Street, Kearsley, began weightlifting in 1937 at the age of 19 and quickly became Lancashire champion. In 1948, he won bronze in the London Olympics before winning the ultimate medal in the 1950s. He said: "Although sport has become a little too much about money, the essence of the Games is still there. You have to compete to show you are the best.

"I broke many Empire records during those Games and I look forward to seeing many more records broken next year."

Mr Halliday attended the launch of Bolton's Commonwealth Games one year countdown, but opted to be a bystander in the crowd.

He said: "I prefer to take a back seat now and enjoy being a spectator. The event has always been called the 'Friendly Games' and I'm sure we can continue that."