BANK holiday chaos has been predicted on roads in and around Bolton this weekend.

Motoring groups have tipped the three days to be the busiest this year.

And drivers have been told to expect long tailbacks and delays.

Not only will many families be making their annual trips to the seaside, a large number of music festivals and sports events will also add to the problem.

Weather forecasts for the weekend have predicted glorious sunshine for Britain which is sure to entice those without Bank Holiday plans to venture onto the roads.

And it has prompted the Automobile Association to urge motorists to check their vehicles before travelling anywhere.

Many of last year's breakdowns, according to Alistair Cheyne, the director of AA Operations for the North-west, were caused by overheating and hundreds more were as a direct result of drivers not carrying out simple maintenance before setting off on their journeys.

Mr Cheyne said: "Ensure water and oil levels are correct, the battery and lights are working properly and that the tyres are in good condition and inflated to the correct pressures."

This weekend is host to the Leeds Carling Weekender Festival and Creamfields 2000 in Liverpool. An athletics tournament is taking place in Gateshead.

Together with an expected rush to Manchester Airport and ferry ports, the roads are set to get very busy.

Last year's August bank holiday saw unseasonably hot weather across the borough, creating gridlock on many roads.

And those heading for the coast are being warned to stay safe in the sea by following advice published today by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Families are advised to check the weather and tides, always tie inflatables to the shore and keep children in reach, keep clear of cliff edges and do not drink alchohol or eat before swimming. The Coastguard is called out to 12,000 incidents a year, saving on average a dozen lives every day. Traffic hotspots M56 junction 14 to 16 towards Chester into North Wales either along the Northern Bypass (A5117) or the Southerly Bypass (A55), Cheshire;

M6, traffic heading for Lake District. M6 or 36 and A590/A591/A592 and A595, or travelling to and from Scotland and the North-east (A66/A69);

M60 junction nine to 11, Trafford Park, with traffic heading towards out-of-town shopping centres and retail parks in Greater Manchester;

M6 junction 32 and M55 towards Blackpool, Lancashire;

A565 and A570 towards Southport, Merseyside.