BOLTON has secured a top Euro green award. The town's successful battle to become cleaner and greener has won a prestigious Certificate of Distinction in the European Sustainable City Award 1997. Bolton was competing against more than 100 cities and towns throughout Europe.

It was the town's Local Agenda 21 which captured the eye of the judges who praised Bolton Environment Forum in developing its green action plan for the 21st century.

In addition the Council and the Forum worked together to produce Bolton's first state of the environment report providing a picture of the air, land, water, health and economy.

There were also major contributions from the Bolton Evening News-backed Environment Challenge and the Youth Conference in May.

The certificate will be presented by Greater Manchester West Euro MP Gary Titley at a special ceremony at the BITE Centre at Bolton Institute tomorrow.

At the same event the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Eric Johnson, will officially open Bolton's Air Quality Monitoring Station.

Planning and Environment Committee Chairman, Cllr Jack Foster, who is also Chairman of Agenda 21, will receive the award on behalf of the Council.

Cllr Foster said he was delighted with the win. He said: "When you think of the high standard of competition, which included places such as Stockholm, Malaga and Heidelberg, you get an idea of the sort of prestige this award carries.

"The win underlines our commitment to the environment and highlights what we are trying to do to make Bolton a better place to live and work."

The Air Quality Monitoring Station is part of the Bolton Environment Technology Initiative, a project supported with funds from the European Regional Development Fund.

The station was bought and is maintained by Bolton Council, in partnership with Bolton Institute.

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