A COUNCILLOR for an 'overlooked' area of Bolton has welcomed plans which she believes could help rescue it from decline.

The council is bidding for up to £2.6 million to make the troubled Paulhan Street estate one of 15 national pilots for the Government's new neighbourhood management scheme.

If successful, a manager could be employed to work with the community and ensure resources are targeted where they are most needed.

Cllr Margaret Clare, whose Harper Green ward includes part of the estate, believes news of the bid could be just the tonic the area needs.

The estate has become notorious in recent years and is classed as one of the most deprived parts of town with crime and vandalism rife.

"Over the last two years the area has declined rapidly. There are high levels of crime and nuisance," Cllr Clare said.

But the area has missed out on European and Government funding for deprived areas such as that ploughed into Daubhill, Deane and Derby because it has not met various criteria.

Cllr Clare said: "I'm delighted that it has been chosen for a pilot bid and I sincerely hope it is accepted to arrest the rapid decline of the area."

She added the potential cash boost was especially welcome coming on top of council confirmation that the Paulhan Street area was its choice to benefit from another initiative.

It will have the second Sure Start area, intended to give children in deprived areas a better start, subject to Government approval. The first is in Oxford Grove.

Around 3,000 people live in the area covered by the proposed scheme. It is thought 80 councils are competing for money from the neighbourhood management pot.

Only authorities with more than one ward among the top 10 per cent most deprived in England are eligible to compete for money under the initiative.