A SPECIAL Olympic torch will light up the Greater Manchester Youth Games in Bolton this summer.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police will carry the Flame of Hope to Bolton Arena on the weekend of June 11 and 12.

The Special Olympics torch run, which starts in London and ends in Glasgow, will call at Bolton Arena on its way.

The Special Olympic Games start in Glasgow on July 2 and will bring together 2,700 athletes with learning disabilities to compete in Olympic-style sports.

When the torch arrives in Bolton for the 16th annual Greater Manchester Youth Games, the police officers will be accompanied by runners on a 3km family fun run.

Councillor Martyn Cox, Bolton council's executive member for culture, said: "It's great news that the Special Olympics Flame of Hope is coming to Bolton. It's going to make what is already a fantastic weekend an even bigger and better event in the Greater Manchester sporting calendar."

Disabled, able-bodied and disadvantaged young competitors will take part at the 16th annual Greater Manchester Youth Games, in which boroughs compete against each other.