TODAY the Bolton Evening News launches a campaign to build the town a brighter future.

With the arrival of the Commonwealth Games in the North West now only months away, the eyes of the world will soon be upon us. Bolton plays host to four events and will be welcoming thousands of visitors. What better opportunity could we have to put a smile on the face of our town?

It is a unique chance for us to decide how we would like Bolton to be seen by others. So let's work together to brighten up our shops, streets and businesses.

Let's create a festival of fun so that our visitors come back and tell their friends and families what a wonderful place Bolton is. But much more importantly we want these Games and our campaign to be a catalyst for change. Bolton has much to be proud of.

It aspires to be a city. But it is also blighted in some areas by crime, neglect and decay. Our Pride of Bolton campaign highlights some of those problems in an attempt to get something done. In the coming days and weeks we will also focus on the triumphs and successes. This is only the beginning. We hope the Commonwealth Games celebrations which begin today will provide the impetus for a brave new start.