THIS week is local newspaper week – an annual event highlighting the importance of towns' papers across the UK. Each day we are highlighting how The Bolton News has made a difference to people's lives and here we look at the impact we have had on the careers of three of Bolton's top current sporting stars as well as the effect on grassroots sport.

AT The Bolton News we pride ourselves on giving the best possible coverage to local sporting achievers.

And every now and then one of them goes on to perform at the highest possible level in world sport.

Three of them who are still at the peak of their careers are Amir Khan, Jason Kenny and Tom Lancashire.

And the top trio are all grateful for the support and profile their local newspaper gave them when they were on their way up and continues to provide them.

Boltonian Khan is a superstar of boxing and is currently in the process of trying to secure a fight against the sport's undisputed number one Floyd Mayweather Jnr.

But he still values the role The Bolton News has played in covering his progress from young prospect to world great.

He said: "I have always appreciated the support of The Bolton News even before my major successes in the ring.

"I believe it’s very important to have a local paper that reports, recognises and helps highlight the achievements of people within the community.

"As a young sportsman seeing yourself in the local paper acts as great encouragement and gives you motivation to push even further in achieving your goals.

"It all starts with the support of local newspapers and I would like to thank The Bolton News for all their support down the years.”

Farnworth cyclist Jason Kenny is a household name after winning three gold medals from two Olympic Games.

He said: “It’s important that local people know about and get behind sports clubs that have the potential to produce future stars.

“As an athlete it’s often a great opportunity to have your first taste of media exposure in a friendly positive way – and make your nan and granddad proud for getting in the paper!”

Runner Tom Lancashire is another Olympian from Bolton, having competed in the 1,500m at the Beijing Games in 2008 as well as all the top athletics meetings in the world.

But he says there has always been something special about being in The Bolton News, which he has been since he was an up-and-coming runner competing in local races for Bolton United Harriers and Athletic Club.

He said: "The Bolton News is probably second only to my family in terms of following and encouraging me through my career over the years.

"The paper has been a great support through the many ups and downs that come with being an elite athlete.

"Ninety nine per cent of what I do as an athlete is out of the public eye, and I feel a huge sense of pride that the paper takes such an interest in not only my racing but my training as well.

"It motivates me to push myself harder and continue trying to make the paper and its readers proud."

The story is the same in local sport which The Bolton News covers in depth on a daily basis, including an eight-page supplement devoted to the town's grassroots scene every Tuesday.

Two sports which have huge participation in Bolton at both junior and senior level are football and cricket

The secretary of the Bolton Cricket League, Ray Taylor, said: "Coverage in the local press is essential for all sports, and we are fortunate in our area that The Bolton News reports extensively on many sports, including the two major cricket leagues.

"The Bolton News also assists by publicising fundraising events at the sports clubs."

The chairman of the Bolton, Bury and District Junior Football League, Warren Barlow, said: "The Bolton News has provided our league with a forum to reach out to local people in a way that nothing else can as well as a tangible, historical record of the league and its members which stands the test of time."