A GREYHOUND owner is launching a campaign to build a dog track in Bolton.

Irene Halpin races her three-year-old dog, Lisloose Laura, at Belle Vue Greyhound Stadium in Manchester.

But the former greyhound trainer, who lives in Hibernia Street, Deane, says she wants somewhere in Bolton for people to watch and participate in the sport.

Bolton's greyhound stadium, which was at Raikes Park, in Manchester Road, closed its doors in 1996, leaving only the smaller Westhoughton track, in Wigan Road.

Miss Halpin, aged 63, has gathered around 2,000 signatures on a petition for a new stadium, which she hopes will encourage interest from developers.

She said: "I used to train dogs on the old Bolton track and I took my kids there to watch the races.

"Belle Vue is very difficult to get to from Bolton so a lot of people are unable to go or not as often as they might like.

"We have Westhoughton but it would be wonderful to see a big track in the town again.

"I'd like to get as many people as possible involved in this campaign with a look to finding a developer who might be interested."

Bolton's stadium, on the site of the Raikes colliery, attracted people for almost 70 years.

It closed in 1996, blaming a nationwide drop in people going to the dogs because of the popularity of the National Lottery.

Rod Eccles has run Westhoughton greyhound track for the past four years. He said: "Unfortunately it's a dying sport and it might be a struggle to open a new stadium, but I would support efforts.

"It's competition for us but competition can be good. There aren't enough race tracks in the area and I think it would be a boost for the town."