JUNIOR football in Bolton is set for a revolutionary change by switching its season from winter to summer next year.

The Bolton, Bury and District Football League is planning to make the radical change to solve the problem of games being called off because of bad weather and to provide improved playing conditions for players.

The local league is one of the biggest, fastest growing and most innovative sporting leagues in the country with 620 teams, 8,500 players, all age groups from under-7s to under-21s, and a thriving indoor league.

The move has been triggered by the frustration and problems caused by constant mass postponing of matches due to adverse weather conditions.

Clubs have been asked to vote on the issue and those cast so far indicate it is likely to be a landslide mandate to move to a summer season.

Clubs have until January 29 to vote and so far 59 out of 60 who have voted have said they would like to play in summer.

Barring an incredible and unforeseen sea change in opinion from the remaining 58 clubs still to vote, the league's season will start in March and end in October from 2017 with a six-week break for the school summer holidays.

The league's committee members also voted 100 per cent in favour of the switch.

The vote only needs a majority, therefore just one more club has to vote in favour for the go-ahead to be given.

The proposal will then go to the league's March meeting for final approval before asking the Football Association to sanction it.

League chairman Warren Barlow said: "Doing nothing just isn't an option as we have a duty to our members to help provide them with the best possible conditions to play football.

"Bolton Council have confirmed that this season 10 weeks have been lost to the weather to date and it is highly likely that more weeks will go.

"It would be unacceptable for any sport provider to continue like this, without exploring options to improve the situation for its participants."