LOFTY the Lion and Wanderers legend Nat Lofthouse are involved in Bolton's New Deal launch on Friday.

The important Government initiative, which starts throughout the country in April, is designed to help young people between 18 and 24 who have been unemployed for six months or more.

The local "kick-off" will be performed at the Reebok Stadium by Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly.

Employers have joined forces with the Employment Service, Bolton Bury training and Enterprise Council, Bolton Council and other private, public and voluntary sector partners to mount an exhibition in the Reebok Stadium. Bolton New Deal co-ordinator Sharon Marshall said today that the launch event would show what was on offer.

Several local employers had already pledged their support.

She said: "For employers, New Deal will give help with the cost of taking on new recruits and equipping them with the right skills for work.

"Young people will gain the opportunity of a real job with training and support through the Gateway programme to ensure that they are ready to enter the working world."

The launch will be in the Platinum Suite at the Reebok from 11am to 2pm.

Prizes are on offer for everyone attending - in return for their assessment of the event.

Bolton Wanderers FC is providing two tickets for the last game of the season and free entry to the Lion of Vienna Club.

Walsh Sports is donating a a gift voucher and there will be CD tokens from supporting employers Porter Lancastrian and Securicor Cash Services. Free transport is being provided from local Jobcentres by Stagecoach.

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