NEW ZEALAND flags fluttered in Victoria Square and hundreds of red, white and blue balloons danced in the air.

Dozens of children held a party on the town hall steps yesterday to mark the creation of a new bond of friendship between Bolton and its old pals from the antipodean nation.

Towns across Britain are setting up partnerships with Commonwealth countries and will play host to their sportsmen and women when the Games start in the summer. Bolton has chosen New Zealand and the Queen's representative in the nation, Governor General Dame Silvia Cartwright, visited Bolton and was given a warm welcome on the steps of the town hall.

She was greeted by more than 50 children from Highfield Primary School in Farnworth and musicians from the Bolton Youth Ensemble.

She also had lunch with the Mayor of Bolton, Kevan Helsby, Mayoress Alice Kilcoyne and other councillors before presenting the town with a model of a Maori boat as a token of friendship. Afterwards she toured Bolton Arena.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Bolton," she said. "I will take home a lasting memory of the people, who have all been very friendly during my stay.

"I'm sure New Zealanders will be made especially welcome here during the Games."

Council leader Bob Howarth is delighted to be able to forge links with New Zealand. He said: "It's a coincidence but both Wigan and Bolton have adopted countries from 'Down Under', with Wigan teaming up with Australia.

"It's a great chance for us both to exchange ideas and to learn about other people's cultures and customs as well as promoting Bolton in New Zealand at the highest level."

The two countries paired thanks to Bolton Council's Breightmet Arts Project, which has links with schools in Auckland.