Leader of Bolton Council is in Westminster today seeking answers over two failed multi-million pound bids - one of which would have transformed Bolton Town Centre.

Cllr Martyn Cox is meeting Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, after Bolton's £40m bids were rejected by the Government in the latest round of the 'Levelling Up' grants being handed out.

Bolton Council lodged the two bids for the town centre and for De Havilland Way, each of them worth £20 million, last summer.

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The Bolton News: Meeting: Michael Gove and Martyn CoxMeeting: Michael Gove and Martyn Cox

The aim of the bid for the town centre was to add a high-end hotel to Le Mans Crescent and a conference complex to Albert Halls, and to make improvements to Market Place shopping centre - transforming the former Debenhams store - and the area around Mawdsley Street.

The aim of the bid for De Havilland Way was to increase capacity and improve connectivity in an area of significant congestion between the Beehive Roundabout and Junction Six of the motorway. The council said it is looking at other opportunities for investment into both ideas.

Cllr Cox told The Bolton News: "I will be meeting with Michael Gove to ask why Bolton was unsuccessful and what we need to do in the next round of levelling up.

"I want to make sure we fully understand the Government criteria."

Cllr Cox said that Bolton has benefited hugely from Government money, more so than many other places.

He added: "Bolton will continue to be ambitious and will bid for monies, some will be successful others will not. But Bolton has received £150M of Government money."

This includes funding to transform Farnworth's high street and Future High Streets Fund.