Horwich Council has given a warm welcome to Bolton Wanderers who are set to move into their new stadium in the town next season.

A formal notice of motion in the name of council leader Kevan Helsby - a big fan of the club - was unanimously supported by members.

Cllr Helsby moved that the council "is delighted to welcome Bolton Wanderers to Horwich, and congratulates the club on its outstanding achievements in winning the championship of the Nationwide Football League.

"This success augurs well for the future, and we look forward to continued success for many years to come."

Cllr Helsby said it was not just the Wanderers who were coming to town, but all the associated development such as the new businesses and residents of the new housing, as well as visitors.

"Who knows - they might even come from Barcelona or Milan? If Wanderers are successful, the sky's the limit," he added.

Cllr Helsby said that there were people in the town who have supported the team for many years and it was not difficult to envisage how happy they were at the moment. He paid tribute to the club's success over the years and remembered going to his first game when he was seven years old: "Now we are looking to the future and a new era. We welcome the club to Horwich and are proud to have them here."

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