THIS year Bolton College became a part of the University of Bolton in an historic merger.

The groundbreaking partnership was the first of its kind merge in the country and was said to opening up ‘unique opportunities’ for Bolton’s students.

The merger took place under a part of a shake-up of post-16 education with students at the college being able to benefit from university resources.

The latest plans build on significant investment in the medical sciences in Bolton.

The £31 million Bolton One health, leisure and research centre, was built through a unique and visionary partnership between Bolton Council, NHS Bolton and the University of Bolton.

The University of Bolton has premier teaching and research activity centred in Bolton One, including flagship health and sports services which are open to everyone. These include an Athlete Development Centre and a Sports and Spinal Injury Clinic. The University’s Centre for Research for Health and Wellbeing is based in Bolton One. The University also has a sports centre and a towering 50 foot high climbing wall within the complex.

In Farnworth, in the Queen Specialist building, the university has developed the Centre for Dental Sciences to meet the need for more registered dental technicians. It has purpose-built dental laboratories.