THE craze for selfies has swept the nation.

Social network websites such as Facebook and Twitter are full of the self-portraits — and the word selfie even made it into the Oxford English Dictionary for the first time last year.

And now there is a new fad set to take Bolton by storm — the “bolfie”.

People from across the town are being asked to show what Bolton means to them by taking a selfie in front of a borough landmark — a “bolfie”.

That could be the town hall, the Reebok Stadium, Smithills Hall, Bolton Central Library and Museum, Bolton Parish Church, the Spirit of Sport statue, the elephants in Newport Street, top of Rivington Pike — you name it, if it is a Bolton landmark people can be pictured in front of it.

The groundbreaking digital art project can also be a nostalgic take on Bolton’s heritage, landmarks and events, or a modern view of trends, activities and culture.

Residents are being encouraged to share their pictures and videos online.

The results will be used to create a light show to be projected from Cheadle Square on to the arches at the back of Le Mans Crescent, on March 17, from 7.30pm.

Photos will be used as part of a Greater Manchester light display in Manchester City Centre on March 29.

The Let’s Go Global event is supported by Bolton at Home and Bolton Council, with funding from the Arts Council England and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities.

Gaynor Cox, arts officer for Bolton at Home, said: “This project will focus on people and places to showcase what makes us proud about Bolton. We want as much material as we can get and we’re asking people to submit their Bolfies and other content online.

“This will give us some great content to create a powerful light show that encompasses everything that makes Bolton the place it is.”

Bolton’s light show is being led by Breightmet’s Mr One Million group with support from local community interest company thebox.tv.

The group — which is behind the short Bolton-based film drama of the same name — and thebox.tv have already been involved in two design workshops led by External Galleries and created a dedicated Facebook page which is at facebook.com/boltonbigdigital.

Cllr Akhtar Zaman, cabinet member of economy, development and regeneration, added: “This project gives local people the unique opportunity to contribute to a light show about Bolton.”

Mr One Million is using the #bolfie hashtag on Twitter so people can submit their “bolfies”.

Others can be submitted through the Big Digital Project website bigdigitalproject.co.uk or via the Facebook page or directly to the artists pwalkersculptor@msn.com or andy@wildstrawberry.com.