BOLTON'S hidden economy has been put under the microscope in a bid to find the best way of mobilising a mass army of unpaid workers.

Management consultants have completed a report on Bolton and Bury's voluntary sector. They concluded that 500 Bolton groups have a combined income of about £15 million - £5 million in Bury.

The burgeoning sector secured employment for one percent of the working population in both towns and job opportunities in this area are expected to carry on growing.

The report also estimated that three percent of the population aged over16 regularly volunteer their services to such groups for free.

The research was jointly commissioned by Bolton and Bury Training and Enterprise Council and the two Councils for Voluntary Services.

The majority of groups surveyed cited lack of funding, difficulties with premises and a shortage of marketing skills as the main things holding back their progress.

Cllr Cliff Morris, Chairman of the Council's Civic Affairs Committee which reviewed the report, said: "Without the voluntary sector there would be a lot of vital work left undone.

"These organisations are very important to the borough and we should encourage them all we can."

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