of pride BOLTON has scooped a major award and it is one of which its residents can be proud.

The town has won the top trophy in the Best Large City category at the prestigious 1999 North West in Bloom, beating the likes of Liverpool and Blackpool into the bargain. The category title is somewhat ironic as Bolton continues with its bid to become the country's Millennium City.

Council officials are keeping their fingers crossed this award will sow the seed of future success for Bolton's city status and the major prize will swing the balance in its favour. This is the fourth time in six years the town has won this award and praise should surely be heaped on all who obviously worked so hard in making it happen. Let's hope it can help Bolton towards its city bid. This award is a great booster for Bolton. It shows (by and large!) that we live in a town that is pleasant to walk through. Not many towns and cities can boast so many brightly-coloured and well-tended blooms in their centres. Bolton can. And while we're blowing Bolton's trumpet, let's take a look at what else we've got.

A great shopping centre with new shops and businesses constantly choosing to open up in Bolton. Thriving bars, pubs, cafes, coffee shops and restaurants. A state-of-the-art sports stadium, surrounded by even more top name shops, stores and supermarkets. And Bolton has a fighting spirit. Remember how its people came together to raise funds for the Octagon?

So yes, Bolton folk can bask in the glory of this latest award. And yes, we think Bolton can and should receive city status.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.