NEIGHBOURS of a Bolton grotspot have welcomed plans to turn it into a housing estate as a "godsend."

They were speaking as detailed plans for the future of Marsh Fold Lane, Halliwell, went on show for the first time.

North British Housing staged an exhibition at Victory Community Centre which included a computer-generated image of how the final 35-home development will look.

And residents of the surrounding streets are so fed up with the litter-strewn wasteland -- the site of the former Marsh Fold Mill -- blighting their area that they flocked through the doors.

Among them was 86-year-old Hilda Holland, who has lived in Musgrave Road for the last 54 years and seen the area go downhill.

She said: "Anything's got to better than what's there at the moment. It's gone to rack and ruin. Nobody's used it for anything much except dumping rubbish and it's just attracting trouble. I was keen to come along and have a look."

Her sentiments were echoed by Stanley Walker, 78, of Wyresdale Road.

"It's a godsend really," he said. "The land is nothing but a rubbish tip at the moment. Whatever goes on there would have to be better."

John Wright, NBH development manager for Bolton, and Roy Cottam of Manchester architects Dane Ashworth Cottam, were on hand to explain the plans to visitors yesterday. Mr Wright said: "We're getting a lot of feedback. One man was even here half an hour before we opened up. I think people are just pleased that we are bringing this brownfield site back into use."

The development will consist of 19 four-bedroomed houses, 11 three-bedroomed homes and five two-bedroomed properties.

The scheme has been welcomed by Halliwell councillor Linda Thomas who said she expected it to be a "catalyst" for the regeneration of the whole area.

She said: "The residents have been desperate for us to do something with this land."