BOLTON property developer Carol Ainscow is the leading light in a £100 million development in Ancoats, East Manchester.

Her company, Artisan Holdings, is the joint owner - with Peel Holdings and Manchester City Council - of Artisan Ship Canal Developments, which has now received planning permission for the first phase of the 6.5 acre development.

Phase one - 130 residential apartments over a part four and part six-storey building, with parking for 91 cars, will now start in the spring.

The remaining phases of the development will include up to 100,000 sq ft of office space, 10,000 sq ft of retail space and almost 600 residences.

Carol said: "We are very excited about this development. It is an imaginative scheme that will further enhance what the city has to offer residents at the same time as helping to contribute to the continued regeneration of Ancoats."

The former teacher built up her multi-million pound property development company by starting with residential care homes in Bolton. She has developed bars, cafes and clubs in Manchester and worked on the conversion of the former Daily Express building in Great Ancoats Street.