SIR David Trippier has started his personal campaign to make sure towns like Bolton are not overlooked in the new "Marketing Manchester" campaign. He has reacted in a remarkably positive manner to a sceptical view expressed by the leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Bob Howarth, that on past experience only crumbs would come the way of Bolton and other Greater Manchester towns.

Sir David, who is chairman of the multi-million pound initiative, contacted Cllr Howarth after an Evening News story last month and has now had a meeting with him and Bolton chief executive Brian Collinge. "It was very amicable - I think in the past there has been a communication problem that I am seeking to address," Sir David said.

The new Marketing Manchester agency is a partnership established by Manchester Airport, Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Greater Manchester Visitor and Convention Bureau.

Sir David - clearly determined to avoid a "Manchester only" bias - is now planning to visit council leaders in all the outlying districts in Greater Manchester - towns such as Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Wigan.

"I am going to see all of them within the next two weeks," said Sir David, who was encouraged by his "helpful" session with Cllr Howarth and Mr Collinge.

He is hardly going to be able to forget about Bolton as the Marketing Manchester campaign progresses - his newly-appointed personal assistant is Debbie Shaw, the wife of a Bolton doctor.

Cllr Howarth said he was happier about Marketing Manchester following the meeting with Sir David.

"He is not a captive of the city - I believe him," Cllr Howarth said. The Evening News article also prompted Mr Paul Davidson, Chief Executive of Bolton Business Ventures, to invite Sir David to give the seventh annual Bolton Business Lecture this year.

He accepted with enthusiasm and dates are now under discussion.

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