BOLTON took part in one of the world's largest international property events which has been linked to the success of its £1.2bn town centre regeneration plans.

The four-day real estate exhibition in Cannes, where influential property players gather, attracted 26,800 participants from across 100 countries this year.

Council representatives attended MIPIM in March as part of a Manchester partnership.

Director of place Gerry Brough and head of economic development Steve Burns to the event, who attended the event as Bolton Council's delegates, said "positive contacts and introductions" were made this year.

A spokesman said: “MIPIM is an opportunity to promote our borough to thousands of developers and investors.

“We have been attending conferences for a number of years supported by key partners, and it is essential that we go to continue attracting investment for our ambitious town centre regeneration plans.

“Previous MIPIM conferences have resulted in relationships with private sector investors such as Midia who are now working with us on a number of sites in the town centre masterplan."

Last month, Midia announced it would be a partner in the redevelopment Crompton Place Shopping Centre and refurbish the ground floor of the former Beales department store. It is also behind the £48m plan for Trinity Gateway.

The trip cost £10,000 which was paid for by the £100m town centre masterplan, a loan repaid by using dividends from Manchester Airport and the Yorkshire Purchasing Company.

A council spokesman added: “It would be impossible for us to deliver the scale and level of our ambitious regeneration plans without private sector funding.

“And since the town centre masterplan was launched, private sector interest has increased meaning our plan is now worth £1.2 billion.”