A STRIKING new landmark is to be unveiled at the entrance to an Atherton attraction.

To reflect the town's industrial past, a pair of nine foot bolts are about to be planted at the start of the Chanters Valley site, a new community recreational area.

The bolts are set to be unveiled tomorrow afternoon as a commemoration of a part of Atherton's varied and colourful history. The idea for Chanters Valley came from Atherton Environmental Projects and its chairman Derek Bullock, who spent years pushing for improvements to the site. Since that time plans have been drawn up and applications to funding bodies have been successfully made.

Groundwork Wigan and Chorley have spearheaded the search for funding, securing money from Landfill Tax Creditors and Barclays Site Savers.

The latter is a £1 million, three-year partnership between Barclays plc and leading environmental organisations, including Groundwork Wigan and Chorley.

The aim is to transform more than 200 pockets of derelict, or under used land, into new community recreational, play and leisure facilities.

The scheme is backed by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and managed by Groundwork.

Footpaths have already been improved and trees and shrubs planted. There have been action days and environmental art has been undertaken.

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