COMMUNITY figures from across the borough have started to discuss how they will use council funding to regenerate their town centres.

Businessowners, politicians and other residents, who will be part of steering groups, have been tasked with drafting proposals for each of their districts.

Westhoughton, Horwich and Little Lever are following the lead from Farnworth whose masterplan was rubber-stamped last week.

The four townships were promised a £16m cash boost by the local authority under the previous Labour administration earlier this year.

Newly-appointed deputy leader Martyn Cox will oversee the plans now in his role which includes the regeneration and development portfolio.

The Conservative councillor told The Bolton News that he is hoping to see real progress over the next 12 months.

He said: "We don't want it to take too long. This isn't something that's going to drag on for months years. By spring next year we want to be breaking ground."

Lib Dem councillor David Wilkinson, who will be chairing the steering group for Westhoughton, is expecting get a first draft of the town centre masterplan done by October.

The draft will be put forward for a public consultation before a final masterplan is submitted to Bolton Council.

But Cllr Wilkinson wants members of the public to take a lead in developing the plans right from the start.

He said: "I would urge anyone who lives in Westhoughton to look at how we can improve the town centre. This is every man, woman and child's chance to say something about what they want to see, or not see, in the town centre. We even encourage weird and wacky ideas."

The Horwich steering group, which will meet for the first time on Wednesday, will be chaired by newly-elected councillor Marie Brady.

UKIP leader Sean Hornby will chair the Little Lever steering group.

Farnworth and Kearsley First leader Paul Sanders will chair the steering group for his area.

The previous Labour administration originally pledged to put £12m into district town centres but later put an additional £4m into the pot.

Residents and businesses are encouraged to put forward their ideas on how to spend the money.

Anyone who has suggestions relating to the chosen areas should contact their councillors for more information.