A POLL of Horwich residents shows the majority want independence from Bolton.

Calls have also been made for Bolton Council leader Cllr Cliff Morris to go to Horwich and speak to people about their unease over the relationship between Horwich and Bolton.

About 500 people filled in the online survey — set up by community group Horwich First — with 83 per cent saying Horwich would be “better off” without Bolton.

And 94 per cent said Cllr Morris should come to the town to try to persuade people otherwise — a challenge the council leader has accepted.

Cllr Morris said: “I am more than willing to come to Horwich for this.

“I am happy to explain to people why they are better off staying with Bolton — but others must be prepared to explain why they think otherwise.”

“I don’t agree that Horwich would be better off leaving Bolton Council — I think 500 people is quite a small proportion of Horwich people.”

The issue first came about after Horwich resident Mick Stevens, speaking at a meeting of Horwich Town Council, suggested that Horwich could benefit from breaking away from Bolton Council and joining forces with neighbouring Chorley.

Chorley Council is also considering leaving the governance of Lancashire County Council and becoming a unitary authority — with a referendum potentially being held next year.

Chorley Council leader Alistair Bradley previously said he was “flattered” by the suggestion that Horwich residents would like to join up with Chorley.

Craig Rotherham, of Horwich First, said he was “very pleased and surprised” that Cllr Morris said he would come to Horwich.

He added: “It is very good to hear that he has agreed to the invitation.

“I think the poll is representative of the way people in Horwich feel they are being treated by Bolton Council.”

A “new town” is set to be built on the site of the former Horwich Loco Works — after planning chiefs gave proposals for a 1,700-home estate the green light last week.

But frustrated campaigners in Horwich hit out at the decision which was made at a special meeting of Bolton Council’s planning committee, claiming their concerns were not being heard.

Councillors voted to grant outline permission for the development of the 189-acre brownfield site — which will see 50 acres of open space and 20 acres of land suitable for business development created alongside the 1,700 new homes.