BOLTON is set to launch an exciting fresh bid . . . to become a 'Millennium City'.

The Queen is planning to create two new cities as part of the Millennium celebrations and to commemorate her Golden Jubilee year.

The announcement made yesterday is now almost certain to once again give Bolton Council chiefs the green light to put forward the town's case.

Bolton's last bid to become a city was in 1992 when, although one of the front-runners, the town lost out to Sunderland.

But since that time, Bolton -- one of the biggest towns in the country -- has gone from strength to strength. The new Reebok Stadium is the envy of many of the country's top football clubs while Bolton Institute's campaign for University status continues to gain momentum and plans have been announced for a Festival of Education to be held in the town for 1999. In addition, the extensive refurbishments to the Town Hall Square would create an impressive centre piece for any city.

On hearing the news about the Queen's plans to create two new Millennium Cities, Council leader, Cllr Bob Howarth, said: "We do have an existing policy to try to achieve city status.

"We certainly tried last time and there is no reason to think that we have changed our mind."

He added that once the criteria on which towns could apply became known, the matter would be referred to the Management and Finance Committee.

He added: "I do think our case to become a city would be even stronger than last time.

"But it does depend upon the criteria being used.

"If we are able, we will certainly be going for city status."

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