A 17-YEAR-OLD girl who has just left the dole queue helped a Government minister mark the creation of nearly 400 jobs in Halliwell, Bolton.

Christine Burtak, of Mere Hall Park, Bolton, is now looking after children at Alphabet Zoo, a children's adventure playground - one of eight in the North-west - opened recently in the Albert Mill in Prince Street.

The former Smithills School pupil assisted the Bolton City Challenge Sponsor Minister, Alistair Burt, with the launch of 400 balloons.

Each one represented the number of new jobs created by the latest phase of the Mills Strategy originally launched by Bolton Council as a way of regenerating derelict mills in the city.

In April, 1993, Bolton City Challenge earmarked 14 mills in Halliwell and invested almost £900,000 - a combination of City Challenge and European Regional Development funds. Latest figures show that the upgraded premises have attracted £6.7m in private investment as well - creating 400 jobs as a direct result and preserving 650 others.

Half a million sq ft of floorspace has been improved and 26 new businesses have moved into the mills.

Mr Burt, who also visited Beloit Walmsley during his visit to Bolton, took part in the balloon launch at the Quest Centre in Halliwell.

He opened the "Mills Forum" - an event organised by City Challenge to illustrate the success of the project and give practical advice to business people who want to move into the mills.

There were short speeches by Cllr Bob Howarth, Chairman of the Bolton City Challenge company and the Chief Executive, Gerry Fitzhenry.

Mr Burt, who is MP for Bury North, praised Bolton City Challenge.

"This is one of the Government's best examples throughout the country of what can be achieved by proper investment and development," he said.

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