BOLTON Council owns 46 farms, two hotels and three golf courses, a study has revealed.

A study looking at council owned assets has revealed that the authority also owns eight leisure centres, 15 car parks, nine shops and a cafe.

The national study, carried out by the Taxpayers Alliance, claims a rethink is needed on what councils should and should not own.

But Bolton Council leader Cliff Morris said that the authority does not run most of these assets and that they provide "vital revenue streams" which can be spent on essential authority services.

One of the biggest money-spinners for the council comes from its ownership of the Travelodge in River Street in the town centre — with the authority making between £250,000 and £300,000 each year in revenue from the site.

Cllr Morris said: “We do not run the hotel — Travelodge has a 25 year lease with us and it gives us an income.

“That money can then be used by the council for different services such as providing for elderly people.

“If we were to simply sell the hotel then that money would only be allowed to be spent on specific capital projects — whereas revenue income can be used for running things.”

The second hotel in the list is a freehold arrangement at the Horseshoe Inn in Radcliffe.

According to the Taxpayer’s Alliance, Bolton Council is in the top 10 authorities in the country for the number of farms it owns.

The vast majority of the farms form part of the Smithills Estate, which is set to be sold to conservation charity The Woodland Trust as long as it can raise enough cash over the next two years.

There are also farms in Westhoughton, Blackrod, Farnworth and Tonge which fall under council ownership.

It also owns three golf courses — Regent Park, Great Lever and Farnworth Golf Course and Dovedale Road Golf Course.

The council’s asset portfolio also includes the cafe at Moss Bank Park, The Octagon Theatre and eight community leisure centres including Bolton One.

Cllr Morris added: “It is important to emphasise that we don’t run most of these assets but we receive about £7 million in revenue streams — the important thing is to make sure that money is spent wisely.”