Bolton Council's compensation bill for people falling on pavements has escalated so much in recent years a hit squad has been appointed to investigate claims.

A four-man team started to tackle the number of successful claims against the council two years ago and threatened to sue anyone who submitted a rogue claim.

The highways department took action after the average settlements more than doubled from £1,878 in 1994 to £4,815 in 1997.

By March 1999, the council had paid out more than £430,000 in claims from people who had tripped during the previous seven years.

Tripping up blackspots were identified as Great Moor Street, Deansgate, Newport Street, Blackhorse Street, Bradshawgate, Bridge Street and Knowsley Street.

Inspectors checked pavements and roads for hazards and detailed town hall records now make it easier for insurers to weed out bogus claims at an early stage.

It also helped council solicitors win court battles because regular monitoring in line with national guidelines can be submitted as a defence and make it difficult to prove negligence.

But Liberal Democrat Cllr David Wilkinson from Westhoughton believes making life more difficult for bogus claimers has also affected genuine claimants.

He explained: "Something had to be done because there was a spate of ridiculous claims from people who were making a living from putting in bogus claims.

"But Bolton Council has now made it very difficult for the public to make any sort of claim at all and I deal with lots of old people who have had nasty falls and even though they might be covered in bruises and lacerations they are not entitled to a penny of compensation."