INDEPENDENT business owners have come together to form a group aiming to 'preserve and enhance' Horwich town centre.

The organisation was created recently and described itself as a 'new force' in the town.

A spokesman for Horwich Means Business revealed its main purpose as focussing on improving the town centre and making it the focal point of Horwich.

The spokesman said: "There's a new force in Horwich this year. Now a gentle breeze, but the plan is to herald the wind of change in the form of a group of independent business owners who are focused on making Horwich Town Centre the trading and community hub of the town.

"Horwich Means Business was formed in order to preserve and enhance Horwich town centre business community, making town centre shopping the best experience it can possibly be.

"Horwich is fortunate enough to have a healthy shopping centre with a very high percentage of trading businesses, compared with similar town centres throughout the region.

"A cove of enthusiastic business owners are working hard to build inter-business long term relationships dedicated to giving customers great service, and at the same time, actively supporting the community events throughout the year, organising events such as the Christmas town centre treasure hunt, and playing prominent roles in the carnival and cycle races, Horwich In Bloom and other promotional activities.

"Horwich Means Business welcomes new members and also makes sure that all new business to the town are made very welcome."

The group's formation comes after Bolton Council announced a £220,000 regeneration fund to improve town centres across Bolton.

As well as Horwich, the cash would also go towards the town centres in Westhoughton, Blackrod, Farnworth, Kearsley, and Little Lever.

The total allocated to Horwich was £80,000.