BOLTON'S Hindu community is leading the way after a groundbreaking decision by religious leaders to encourage followers to sign up as organ donors.

This week the town will be awash with sound and colour as members of the Shree Swaminarayan Gadi faith celebrate the opening of a new arts and culture centre on Deane Road.

And, as part of the celebrations, organiser Lalji Khimji says members of the more than 6,000-strong Bolton community will be signing up as organ and blood donors.

The decision has been given the seal of approval from faith leader, His Divine Holiness (HDH) Acharaya Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree, who will be Bolton for the five-day festival.

"This is something that has never really been done before in our faith,' said Mr Khimji. "Traditionally, before we are cremated, nothing is allowed to be taken from the body.

"But it has been decided that, through organ donation, we are helping to continue life and help others."

He added: "We wanted to do something spectacular for the celebrations and this is our way of giving something back to society."

John Evans, chairman of the British Organ Donor Society (BODY), recently met with HDH Acharya Swamishree to accept pledges of organ donations from Hindu communities in London and Bolton.

He told the BEN: "This will improve the quality of life and even prolong the lives of many people waiting for organ and tissue transplants.

"Organ and tissue donation will not only benefit Hindus desperately waiting for a transplant but will give support to bereaved Hindu families."

The move has also been welcomed by organisers of Mayor of Bolton Cllr Alan Wilkinson's Gift of Life charity appeal.

A spokesman said: "The mayor is hoping to have 2,001 new organ donors signed up by the beginning of next year. This decision by the Hindu community is a very welcome one. The mayor will be delighted with the news."

The celebrations to herald the opening of the Deane Road arts and culture centre begin with its formal opening on Wednesday and will culminate with a procession through the streets of Bolton which starts at Deane Road at 2.30pm on Saturday.