IT'S clear, as our front page story yesterday claimed, that Bolton could become the fun capital of the North-west.

Already the town has plenty of pubs and clubs to cater for adults, but the latest leisure scheme should appeal to all the family.

The multi-million pound transformation of the Water Place will create a new family entertainments complex on Great Moor Street which is needed and welcome.

There will be a cinema and hotel plus family-themed pub and mini bowling alley.

There may be those who will argue that we are already well catered for locally with cinemas etc. But if Bolton is to build on its tourist image, then having these extra facilities in the town centre will help to do this.

And the welcome by-product is that the project is likely to create another 200 jobs.

We agree with Cllr Gerry Riley that the Water Place plan is "excellent news".

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