IN attempt to stoke up the recent escalation of tensions between Bolton and Chorley, we have drawn up a list of six comparisons between the two towns.

It started when Chorley Council lit up one of Bolton's favourite landmarks - Rivington Pike - in red to promote Chorley.

Then we reported last week how one Horwich resident had suggested the town might benefit from cutting its ties with Bolton and moving to become part of Chorley - where chiefs are themselves considering leaving Lancashire County Council and going it alone as a unitary authority.

So would Horwich be wise to chase Chorley’s charms or should it stick with its Bolton base?

We have drawn up some of the key battlegrounds between the two areas, with our reporters Liam Thorp (who loves Bolton) and Dale Haslam (who lives in Chorley) making their respective cases for the two towns.

1. Bolton Wanderers vs Chorley FC

Most Whites fans must find it increasingly hard to believe that it was less than ten years ago that big Sam Allardyce steered the side to a sixth place finish in the Premier League and qualification for the Europa League.

The Bolton News: The new Macron sign at the Reebok Stadium.

Despite the drop to the Championship, the club remain very well supported in the town and the faithful will continue to turn out in their droves at the newly named Macron this season, hoping for a promotion push.

The Bolton News:

Fresh from blitzing the competition in Northern Premier League last season, Chorley FC are gearing up for life in the dizzy heights of the Conference North.

The Magpies are a massive source of local pride in Chorley, but it is worth mentioning that their heroic manager, Garry Flitcroft, is a Boltonian.

2. Jason Kenny vs Sir Bradley Wiggins

In the shadow of the 19th-century Chorley Town Hall – just down from Gala Bingo – lies a golden post box, painted in honour of cyclist hero Sir Bradley Wiggins, a Chorley resident, shortly after he won a gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics.

The Bolton News: HONOURED: Cyclist Bradley Wiggins

It is impressive but, then again, Bolton does have two gold post boxes.

The darling of Bolton, Farnworth-born Jason Kenny has secured three Olympic gold medals as well as a delightful cycling ladyfriend (Laura Trott) in his short career.

The town has honoured him by naming the flagship leisure and health centre, formerly called Bolton one, as the Jason Kenny Centre.

The 26-year old hotshot also has TWO golden post boxes dedicated to him - take that Wiggo!

Actually, Wiggo does have two gold post boxes, but one of them isn't in Chorley.

The Bolton News: Jason Kenny with his gold medals

3. Bolton Market vs Chorley Market

Shoppers flock to Bolton’s popular market place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays to avail themselves of a smorgasbord of goods including food and drink from around the globe.

The council recently underwent a much-anticipated £4.5 million revamp and if you want to pick up a new hat at the same time as some chilli-infused halloumi cheese, this is the place for you.

The Bolton News:

Take a stroll through Chorley town centre on any given Tuesday and you will see the Flat Iron Car Park crammed with bargain hunters, filing in between dozens of stalls offering deals on everything from fish to frocks.

It is busy on Saturdays too, as the pedestrianised section of the town centre stages its own market day, where passionate fruit salesman shout the latest deals to would-be customers.

The Bolton News:

4. Queens Park vs Astley Park

Bolton boasts several picturesque parks including Leverhulme and Moss Bank.

Queen’s Park, situated near to the town centre, is a sprawling haven for families, joggers, cyclists and the odd duck enthusiast.

The park, which contains a grand amphitheatre, recently underwent a £4.3 million upgrade and can now boast an outdoor gym, for the town’s sturdier characters.

The Bolton News:

A local sense of pride comes in the fact that former Queen front man Freddie Mercury once appeared at the park.

Boasting the picturesque country house Astley Hall, Astley Park is truly the jewel in Chorley’s crown.

With its own lake and even a petting zoo for children, thousands of visitors take a stroll through this urban oasis each year, with the annual Chorley Carnival celebrations as a highlight.

This year, an outdoor Shakespeare production has proved to be a real coup for the park.

The Bolton News: Queens Park.

5. Carrs pasties vs Chorley Cakes

The Carr family have been creating their fulsomely filled, beautifully baked pasties in Bolton for generations.

Those in the know believe there is no alternative to a soft, thin and melt-in-your mouth Carrs — a treat at any time of the day.

The Bolton News:

You simply have not tasted Chorley unless you have bitten into a good old fashioned Chorley cake; that flattened, fruit-filled treat that has sweet-toothed snack hunters coming back for more. Go out and try one right now – and thank me later. Delicious!

The Bolton News: PASTIE MAN: John Carr, managing director of Carrs Pasties, is proud of his product, baked in their thousands

6. Bolton FM vs Chorley FM

Bolton FM is a successful community radio station that operates from an office above Bolton Market, broadcasting 24 hours-a-day.

Chorley FM, arguably what the town is now best known for, was once a little-known station, but was made a household name by one of Bolton's most famous sons, Peter Kay, as a fictional station in Max and Paddy and That Peter Kay Thing.

Who could forget its slogans, "Chorley FM - coming in your ears" and "where the listener comes first"?

Well, Chorley FM could, apparently, as they had a bit of a spat with Peter Kay, and now use the highly unamusing slogan "real local radio". Yawn.

The Bolton News: Peter Kay, who is celebrating his 40th birthday today