THE final phase of a multi-million development of the Tonge Valley could soon be underway.

Bolton Council and Bolton City Challenge are looking for a developer to transform the southern end of the valley.

They have advertised for anyone who is interested in the site which is known as Watermead. There were more than 40 enquiries and then nine expressed serious interest of going into partnership with the council and Bolton City Challenge.

Cllr Bob Howarth, Bolton Council leader, said: "At the moment, we are keeping an open mind about what sort of development would be right for that site. But I would have thought it would be some sort of commercial scheme."

The other end of the Valley off Watersmeeting Road is earmarked for a £40 million entertainments complex which includes a Richard Branson's Virgin multi-screen cinema.

The Tonge Valley is part of the Bolton City Challenge scheme.

A total of £37.5 million of Government money has been injected into the area which has attracted multi-million pounds of private investment.

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