HUNDREDS of Bolton school children took part in a Who Wants to be a Millionaire-style vote to tell the leaders of today what they want to see in the town tomorrow.

The boys and girls used hi-tech handsets, similar to the equipment used on the hit TV show, to answer questions about what they think of the place where they live and how they would like to see it change.

The primary and secondary school pupils were invited to the Albert Halls yesterday to give their view on 50 topics, including the environment and crime.

The information collected will be used at an annual meeting of Vision for the Future, a project which aims to form a strategy for the needs of the community in years to come by canvassing people in the town.

Children from schools including Smithhills High and Cherry Tree County Primary in Farnworth were the lucky ones chosen to take part in the research and were all looking forward to offering their opinions.

Cherry Tree pupils Emma Clayton and Lauren Isherwood, both 11, were sitting the front row with their handsets at the ready as the questions appeared on a large screen on the stage.

Emma said: "I think it's a good idea. It's an interesting way to find out what young people think. "

Cllr Linda Thomas, executive member for education, was present to give her support to what she said was an excellent venture.

She added: "It is very important to ask the views of as many young people as possible and this is a really excellent way of sounding out their opinions."

Cllr Bob Howarth, Leader of the Council, said input from the people of Bolton was important to make the Vision for the Future a success.

"We need to look at problems such as traffic congestion, pollution and our environment to ensure a good future for the next generation," he added.

"These children are our future and some of them will be the leaders in all walks of life in 20 or 30 years from now."

The Mayor, Cllr Alan Wilkinson, gave the opening speech at the conference before leaving to nurse his wife, Denise, who is suffering from glandular fever.

He said: "I know you've all seen Who Wants to be a Millionaire, but today the questions will come from here and you will be the audience."

The children were asked if they liked living in Bolton and 80pc said yes. But 53pc said they would like to live elsewhere when they are older. Litter was also highlighted as a problem, with 89pc saying the town is not a clean place.

A full report into the findings of the electronic questionnaire will be handed out at the annual meeting of the project, which takes place on November 15 at the Reebok Stadium.