A PARLIAMENTARIAN is leading calls to see Bolton house the Government’s new "cutting edge" £800 million research agency.

This year the Government announced its plans to cement the UK’s place as a science and technology superpower through the creation of the new research funding body, the Advanced Research Invention Agency (ARIA).

It is tipped to be the UK’s most ground-breaking invention centre to propel the nation into being a global science superpower.

Mark Logan, the Tory MP for Bolton North East, hosted the Secretary of State for business, energy and industrial strategy, Kwasi Kwarteng, on his first official visit to Bolton.

The visit comes just days after the announcement of the new UK-wide Innovation Strategy, as ministers "aim to bring jobs, growth and prosperity to all parts of the UK".

Mr Logan was keen to show the Secretary of State Bolton’s "strong case" to house ARIA with an immersive tour of Bolton’s past, present and future in invention and innovation.

Mr Kwarteng savoured the Samuel Crompton exhibition at the Bolton Museum, while appreciating the Wellsprings Innovation Hub, a central cog in the town’s regeneration plans and levelling up agenda.

The University of Bolton’s National Centre for Motorsport Engineering (NCME) rounded off the visit with a bang.

The Secretary of State gave students a ministerial send-off as they departed to the world-famous Silverstone race track, where this weekend professional driver Michael Lyons will race a classic F1 car which they are working on as part of the pioneering ‘Fast Track to F1’ project at the University.

Deputy Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Martyn Cox and Cllr Hilary Fairclough greeted the Secretary of State on his arrival to Bolton, and the delegation was shown around Bolton Museum by Sam Elliot.

Mark Logan MP said: “The foundations of Britain’s reinvention were laid in Bolton more than 200 years ago.

“We are ready for ARIA to be part of our great town and country’s next reinvention.

“Invention and innovation is everywhere, and the Secretary of State got to see that with his own eyes today.”

Dr Greg Walker, Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton, said: “We were delighted to host the Secretary of State on his visit to Bolton today.

“Nowhere is the UK’s thriving innovation scene more apparent than here at the University of Bolton – this can be seen in the work our students and companies locally are involved with at our excellent National Centre for Motorsport Engineering.

“We were delighted to talk to the Secretary of State about how universities such as Bolton can boost the economic prospects of the region and the town itself.

“The University of Bolton is at the heart of efforts to level-up the region through innovation and skills.”