FAMILIES who play by the rules are the priority for a Labour-run Bolton Council, party leader Cllr Cliff Morris has said.

Labour has outlined its pledges for the forthcoming local elections on May 1, when it is hoping voters will keep the party in power.

Following on from the freeze in Council Tax for 2008/09, Labour is promising free school meals for children in their first term at primary school.

Labour says that if the scheme is successful, they will consider extending it to cover the first year at primary school.

Other promises in its manifesto include a free town centre shuttle bus linking the bus interchange at Bolton railway station with Moor Lane bus station, the Market Place and Bradshawgate.

In the longer term, Labour says the shuttle bus route would be extended to service the new multi-storey car parks being built around the town centre.

Free swimming for the under-16s has already been introduced in Bolton and Labour says it plans to introduce free swimming lessons to help tackle childhood obesity.

The party has pledged to spend an extra £1 million repairing the borough's roads and find more cash to improve parks, play areas and sports pitches and to tackle crime.

Under a Labour Council, the party says the controversial congestion charge will not be introduced in the town and that police will get 14 more beat officers to work in the community.

"The priorities of Bolton's families who play by the rules are our priorities - education, the NHS, cutting crime, affordable housing and a strong economy," said Cllr Morris. "We are determined to continue narrowing the gap.

"We are also constantly working to provide high-quality, efficient local services that offer value for money.

"That is why, for the first time ever, we have been able to freeze council tax for council services."

l A total of 79 candidates are contesting 20 seats in the Bolton elections next Thursday.

Labour currently holds 26 of Bolton Council's 60 seats, the Conservatives have 22 and the Lib Dems have 11. One seat is held by an independent.

To gain an overall majority a party needs 31 seats, but traditionally the group with the largest number of seats has taken control of the council.