BOLTON'S tourist information centre is poised to move from the Town Hall to the Central Library in a move which council chiefs say will boost Le Mans Crescent.

Until now the tourist centre has shared space in the Town Hall with the Albert Halls box office.

But with the two becoming busier, council officers believe there is no longer room for both.

As part of the shake-up, which the authority insists will have a minimal cost impact, the centre's ground floor museum shop will be closed.

Some of its Bolton-themed souvenirs will be sold in the new tourist information centre and a new outlet will open in the museum -- although it is likely to be less extensively stocked than the existing store. The move will create space to enlarge The Albert Halls box office.

The changes are subject to approval from executive member for culture Cllr Laurence Williamson, who will consider them a week on Monday.

Keith Davies, the council's deputy director of education and culture, said: "What's driving this is an improved experience for customers. The cost implications are relatively minor because the space is already there."

If the move is approved, it will take place over the summer.

The combined ticket and information centre won a North West Tourist Board award in 1997 for its high standards of customer service and the wide range of facilities available.