BOLTON'S Christmas Shoppershuttle hits the road this month - in time for shoppers to ease the squeeze on town centre car parks.

More than 800 car parking spaces have been created in time for the Christmas rush and locals will be able to leave their cars at the edge of town and hop aboard luxury coaches for just £1 return.

Shoppers will be able to park at the North Car Park at British Aerospace, Lostock, and at Bolton Wanderers car park, Rosehill, for the bus into the centre.

Riders will be able to get off at Moor Lane Bus Station or the Market Place.

The Shoppershuttle service starts on Saturday, November 16, at 9.40am at Lostock and 9.30am at Rosehill, and will run every Saturday until December 28. Buses will run every 20 minutes from both Lostock and the Wanderers and the last bus to Lostock will be 5.40pm and 6pm to Rosehill.

The scheme, run by Bolton Town Centre Partnership, is sponsored by the Sears Group, Bolton Markets, British Aerospace and Bolton Wanderers. Car parks will be manned by attendants and Cllr Jack Foster, chairman of Bolton's Planning and Environment Committee, said: "The Shoppershuttle made its debut last year and this year we are extending it.

"Bolton town centre attracts visitors from throughout the North-west and further afield and there is a lot of pressure on parking spaces, especially at Christmas.

"These Park and Ride people mover schemes are extremely low-cost and should grow in popularity. I hope as many people as possible take advantage of them."

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