THE Middlebrook Retail and Leisure Park celebrated 750,000 visitors in September -- 100,000 more than the previous year.

The centre -- a joint venture between Alderley Edge-based Orbit Developments, Bolton Wanderers and Bolton Council -- has also reaffirmed its commitment to continued growth in the year ahead.

Since opening in 1998, Middlebrook has enjoyed improved transport links and is estimated as creating an extra 4,000 jobs for the region.

Victoria Broadbent, divisional director for Orbit Developments said: "The success of Middlebrook is due to the variety it provides the visitor from entertainment, sports, restaurants and shopping.

"The number of visitors continues to grow and we expect this trend to continue."

Mrs Wheeldon admitted the town centre had been hit hard when Middlebrook opened and classed it as one of the town centre's major competitors.

But added that they were beginning to redress the balance.

"It is the whole variety of the town centre that is bringing people back," she said. "We are seeing a trend to more leisure-based facilities such as bistros and cafes and people don't just want to come to Bolton town centre to shop but for the overall package of shopping, food and entertainment and it is this we want to build on."