AN AMERICAN town named after one of the best places in Lancashire has celebrated its 300th birthday.

Bolton, Connecticut (CT) will receive an extra special delivery from the borough to mark its tercentenary.

Mayor of Bolton Cllr Linda Thomas has sent a commemorative scroll, featuring the Coat of Arms from both towns, and a series of Bolton elephants and Lancashire Roses.

Cllr Thomas has also been invited to a virtual town council meeting on November 10 to give the American district her congratulations.

She said: “I am looking forward to speaking to the representatives of Bolton, Connecticut at their town meeting.

"In this 300th year since their town was named after our own, who would have imagined that each of our of towns of Bolton would be in a global pandemic.

"I will be expressing our solidarity and good wishes and I hope that they will be able to celebrate their tercentenary in style next year.”

The small town is the only one in North America which was actually named after its Lancashire counterpart – with all the others named after people with the Bolton surname.

With a population just under 5,000, the tiny town is a fraction of the size of its namesake, but has a lot of similarities – including its proximity to a larger settlement called Manchester, also named after the one in England.

In April 2014, students from the Bolton High School in CT visited the borough, and were hosted by students at Rivington & Blackrod High School.

The pupils enjoyed a tour of Bolton Town Hall, arranged by Cllr Richard Silvester, who then visited the CT town in November 2014.

It was the first time in history that elected representatives of the two Bolton’s had officially met.

Cllr Silvester said: “Bolton in Connecticut may be small town America in size compared to our own Bolton however the people are so welcoming and friendly.

"I was hosted at their town hall where they have a brass etching of our own Bolton Town Hall on display and I was advised of their council services.

"They are very proud that their town is named after our own and I was given a very warm reception. It is certainly very nice that we can wish them well on their 300th anniversary.”

The American town had planned a series of events throughout this year leading up to a main celebration this month, including a large parade for the 300th birthday.

Unfortunately, the covid-19 restrictions have forced officials to cancel these events, but they're hoping to have a series of 300 plus one celebrations next year to make up for it.