FOUR schoolchildren will be joining council leaders and key local people to launch an exciting framework for Bolton's future.

The pupils are Danny Mann, Claire Darlington, Michelle Council and Bobby Sojitra.

They are pupils of Harper Green School at Farnworth. As part of their presentation at the launch of Bolton Borough's Framework Initiative they will perform a short play on "Our Hopes for the Future".

They will be helping to unveil the 10 year plan aimed at revitalising the borough at a special ceremony at Bolton Town Hall next Thursday.

This will be attended by more than 300 top names who will get involved in the 'Framework For the Future - Bolton 2006' proposals for a new-look Bolton. The plan will create more jobs, improve community safety, work training, and provide better health and social care, retailing and housing and environmental improvements.

It is confidently expected that hundreds of millions of pounds will be invested in the borough by the year 2006.

The framework has been brought about by a steering group, made up of representatives from the community, private sector, health authority, local authority and police and media.

Cllr Bob Howarth, leader of Bolton council, will introduce the initiative and it will be presented by TV personality and Krypton Factor host Gordon Burns.

Les Gent, former editor of the Bolton Evening News, will focus on the pride, history and heritage of the area.

Cllr Guy Harkin, deputy leader of the council, will discuss present day Bolton and its achievements and challenges.

The business perspective will be made by Mr Ross Warburton, of Warburton's Bakery.

Lena Pickford, chairman of the Wigan and Bolton Health Authority, will give the health perspective. Stressing the importance of the launch, Cllr Howarth said: "Bolton's future is in our hands. It is now up to the whole community to get itself well and truly involved."

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