BOLTON could have a new telephone code in another phone number upheaval - but businesses in the town will have up to 16 years to prepare.

MPs and businesses have protested at the proposed shake-up of the telephone numbers by the industry regulator OFTEL, just 16 months after the "add a one" Phone day changes to area codes to solve the problem of a lack of numbers.

OFTEL have confirmed that Bolton could have a new area code by 2012 because of the increased clamour for new lines by Bolton's thriving businesses.

Industry leaders throughout the country have estimated the change will cost as much as £3 billion in printing, stationery and re-programming computers.

But OFTEL's Director of Information, David Redding insisted the changes were essential to meet the growing needs of businesses and industry. He told the Evening News: "Businesses are complaining but the urgent need for these changes are very much business led. There would certainly be an outcry if businesses asked for more lines and they were told there were none available."

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