FANS of greyhound racing may be less than ecstatic at the news today that planning councillors have approved a £14 million leisure development at Bolton's dog track.

The latest scheme joins the Bolton Wanderers' sports village and the Tonge Valley project in a massive boost to local sports' facilities. But planning officers wanted it turned down because there are no definite plans for a new greyhound track.

It would be sad, indeed, if Bolton lost out on one of its most traditional sports, with its strong local links and wealth of characters. And, while councillors have pledged to find a new track site, we would add our voice to those who urge action to ensure that this favourite Northern sport is allowed to continue in town.

One racing certainty about this latest move, however, is that there is likely to be only one winner among the sports' complexes in the contest to secure a multiplex cinema operator. This particular three-dog race has an elusive "hare" which can only be caught by one competitor. The other two will get nothing for being "placed," possibly losing out on a lucrative cinema deal and other developments such a complex would attract.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.