A FREE bus service will ferry shoppers around Bolton town centre.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) has put aside cash for the hop-on hop-off buses.

Bolton Council will also help finance the £200,000 a year scheme, which officers hope will provide a big boost for the centre and complement the investment in the Market Hall.

Bolton Council’s executive member for environmental services, Cllr Nick Peel said he wants the scheme introduced as soon as possible.

Bolton is the only Greater Manchester authority outside of the city centre to get a free bus service.

The news that buses will be provided follows the success of the Metroshuttle in Manchester city centre.

Each year passengers make 2.3 million journeys on the Manchester Metroshuttle bus. The buses run on three routes every 10 minutes.

A similar system will be introduced in Bolton covering the bus stations and running a circuit taking in Moor Lane, Trinity Street and Bradshawgate around the town centre from morning to evening.

Once new multi-storey car parks are built in the town, the bus will have pick-up points there too.

Cllr Peel said: “There are a lot of facilities spread over quite a distance. These can be linked by the town centre shuttle service. People can hop on and hop off as they please. The frequency and other details are still be drawn up.

“Currently the system will be funded by GMPTA and Bolton Council but the system will be constantly under review.”

The contract for the shuttle service will be tendered out.

Last time shuttle buses ran in the town centre was a quarter-of-a-century ago but they were withdrawn because of funding.

Cllr Walsh said: “I am very excited about this. We have been asking for shuttle bus for 25 years.

"This service will ensure all areas of the town thrive, particularly the market."

He added: “I feel that this shuttle bus should bear the town’s historic colours of cream and maroon, to make it identifiable as belonging to Bolton.”