ONE of Bolton's oldest churches is helping to put the town on the map after being given a top tourist award.

Bolton Parish Church, in Churchgate, has been added to a list of more than 300 UK attractions compiled by the English Tourism Council.

The church, home to the Samuel Crompton memorial tombstone, is the second attraction in Bolton to receive the award, which accredits places of interest on their overall quality.

Built in 1871 to replace a previous church which had become too decayed to repair, the parish church is featured in the Bolton Heritage and History Trail - a planned walk for visitors which encompasses the town's main places of interest. The church's clock tower is open to the public as part of Bolton's annual Heritage Days, and the national Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service award states tours are available to anybody provided they are booked in advance.

Canon Michael Williams said: "This is really good news for us as a congregation, and for Bolton as well because it will help raise the profile of the town. The more local places we can get on the map the better, as it will encourage people from further afield to come to Bolton."

Ye Olde Man and Scythe Inn, Bolton's oldest pub, also on Churchgate, is already featured on the list, alongside castles, theme parks, monuments, zoos and nature reserves. Bolton Council, which provides a grant to cover the cost of registration, nominated the church for inclusion and is now keen to add more buildings to the list.

Cllr Laurie Williamson, executive member for culture, said: "I am very pleased to hear the parish church has received this award. It is a fine building and part of a very interesting historic quarter of the town.

"We have quite a diverse range of attractions in Bolton, from the Middlebrook centre and Reebok Stadium to pockets of historic development, for example in Deane and Smithills.

"The success of tourism in Bolton has taken us by surprise, but things like this lift the town's profile."