MORE than £3 million has been spent giving a dozen Bolton food shops a make-over.

And a further £125,000 will be spent on further improvements at one store.

Bosses from The Co-operative Group launched the scheme nationally to revitalise its stores as well as emphasise its commitment to local communities.

Peter Rowley, The Cooperative’s North West regional operations director, said: “Our stores operate at the heart of the community and by doing so provide ideal locations for people to shop locally.

“Upgrading our Bolton stores, which employ more than 200 people, has really freshened up The Co-operative stores across the town.

“Towards the end of this summer, we will be investing another £125,000 in our store on Ainsworth Lane to make further improvements.”

Mr Rowley added: “Last year saw our community fund give back £7,500 to local groups and projects in Bolton.”

Local groups to have benefited include the Red Lane United Reformed Church, which received £1,000 to buy new chairs for the church hall, and the Bolton Good Companions, who got £2,000 for a disabled toilet at its Keighley Street base.

The Bolton Majorettes also received £500 for new uniforms and Bolton Girls TOOLS was awarded £500 to provide a series of life skills workshops for teenage girls.

Diane Shuttleworth from Bolton Girls TOOLS, said: “It is fantastic The Co-operative has supported us.”

Peter McTaggart from Bolton Good Companions, said: “Thanks to our Cooperative grant, all our members can benefit from the range of classes that take place at our centre.”

The Community Fund offers grants of between £100 and £2,000 to community projects.