THE Queen could visit Bolton as part of her Golden Jubilee celebrations during the Commonwealth Games.

The eyes of the world will be on the town when part of the Commonwealth Games are held in Manchester in 2002.

At least four events are to be held in Horwich and Blackrod and Bolton Council's Commonwealth Games liaison officer, Pete Brashaw, is confident the Queen will visit.

He said: "I would be very surprised if she didnt because the Golden Jubilee celebrations will be the centrepiece of the Games.

"I've been lead to understand that the Queen should be visiting all the main Commonwealth Games venues and Bolton looks a strong possibility."

The Queen has not visited Bolton since December 1988 when she officially opened the Water Place and the Market Place.

Cllr Bob Howarth, leader of Bolton Council, said: "We have not heard anything officially, but I suspect we will be able to make the necessary arrangements and put Bolton on the map.

"It is potentially very good and exciting news."

The Games will bring many opportunities to Bolton with co-ordinators of the media village being approached in a bid to persuade them to set-up a base here rather than Manchester.

Mr Bradshaw is keen for as many people from the town to get involved and, over the next 15 months, 15,000 volunteers will be enlisted from the Greater Manchester area.

The Games, which will be the biggest sports and cultural event to be held in the UK yet, include a cycling road race and cycling time trial through Rivington and Horwich, mountain biking at the rear of Rivington and Blackrod High School and 10 days of badminton at Bolton Arena.

It is hoped plenty of festivities and cultural events celebrating Bolton's history and heritage could involve local children.

The council will be one of four in the country to have a full-time Commonwealth Games representatives training young peopleto find permanent employment following the event.

Mr Bradshaw said: "A full time co-ordinator starts work here in the New Year.

"It won't just be a case of training them to be stewards, but helping them gain NVQ qualifications in customer care and health and safety.

"This will put them in a formidable position for finding employment after the Games.

"We want the Games to leave a legacy in the town for everyone and there are lots of exciting opportunities.

"The good news for Bolton taxpayers is that Manchester City Council has underwritten the entire event and nobody from here will be paying their taxes towards the cost of staging the Games."

Anyone interested in volunteering to help with the events being held in Bolton can contact the council in the New Year, when the BEN will publish full details of how to get involved.