BOLTON could forge links with a war-torn Kosovan town as a search begins for a third twin town.

Council chiefs are currently looking to extend the town's international links, by building relations with a third overseas town.

They say twin towns can provide economic and business benefits for Bolton, as well as creating educational and cultural opportunities.

Bolton is already closely linked with Paderborn in Germany and Le Mans in France but council bosses are now looking to link up with a third town.

And they admit the possibility of trying to create ties with a town in a disadvantaged country has not been ruled out.

Even a Kosovan town will not be discounted at this early stage, as the council enters a consultation period before a report is prepared.

Letters have been sent out to schools and voluntary organisations to get views on the possibility of twinning with a third town.

Thousands of ethnic Albanians refugees are currently fleeing Kosovo amid reports of massacres as Serbian troops begin ethnic cleansing.

NATO is also involved in a prolonged bombing campaign in and around the country in an attempt to drive Serb president Slobodan Milosevic back to the negotaion table.

Yesterday Cllr Cliff Morris, chairman of Bolton's Town Twinning Committee, refused to be drawn on any possibility of Bolton twinning with a Kosovan town.

But he added: "Anywhere could be a possibility, we would have to look at it. Nowhere will be ruled out at this stage.

"We're looking at twinning with new countries and are keen to consider disadvantage towns in particular.

"It could be that local schools, churches, voluntary and charity groups - indeed anyone with links already set up - have experience to offer and we would love to hear from them.

"We're also very keen to link with children of school age in these disadvantaged countries."

The council is also looking at arranging coach trips for OAPs to its current twin towns.

Anyone who wants information on the potentialtrips or who can provide advice about twinning with disadvantaged countries should contact the Twinning Officer on Bolton 522311, ext 1090.

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