WITH Bolton Wanderers riding high in the Premier League — and more top flight events set to hit the borough — 2011 promises to be a feast of sport for Bolton.

Already confirmed for next year is the return of t h e I r o n - man UK Triathlon, which has attracted thousands of spectators and competitors in the past two years.

In March, Bolton Arena will celebrate its tenth anniversary as the venue for Great Britain’s 2011 Davis Cup opener against Tunisia.

Team GB will be fancied to claim a straightforward win at home in the E u r o p e / A f r i c a Group Two meeting, regardless of whether British number one Andy Murray makes himself available for the tie which will take place between March 4 and 6.

And Aviva Premiership rugby side Sale Sharks will play their home game against London Irish at the Reebok Stadium on April 16, the first of three games in three years at the home of Bolton Wanderers.

But it is not only the town’s profile that benefits — sport also boosts the economy, with spectators spending their money here.

Last year’s Ironman contest alone boosted the local economy by an estimated £2.7m, with family and friends of the 1,100 athletes from 39 countries in town helping hotels, restaurants and pubs to huge takings.

Keith Davies, director of development and regeneration at Bolton Council, said: “These events give the people of Bolton the chance to see the country’s top sporting stars live in action.

“Events like Ironman show that Bolton is a s i g n i f i c a n t player in the sporting world and a key destination for major sporting events.

Bolton Arena is a state-of-the-art facility and the Davis Cup will attract visitors from around the world.

“The Sale Sharks will make waves when they start training at the Reebok and having a football team in the Premiership also gives the town great profile.”

The Wanderers are flying high in the Premier League and attracting a lot of media attention around the country for their stellar performances.

After helping Manchester to successfully host the Commonwealth Games in 2002, Bolton is also hoping to be part of the London Olympics in 2012.

The official mascots, Wenlock and Mandeville, are born and bred in the town from drops of steel from Watson’s Steel, which is supplying the steel for the Olympic Stadium, while the cream of local athletes, including cycling star Jason Kenny, will be hoping to pick up medals.

Mr Davies said: “Bolton will always be a part of the O l y m p i c s 2012 story because the m a s c o t s were born in Bolton.

“This is great for the town and the region, and hopefully we will see more Bolton Olympic medallists at the games, and in the future.”