TOP international stars look set to visit Bolton next summer for a major musical event in one of the town's parks.

An open air concert starring well-known artists is being pencilled in for next June or July as a tie-in to the Commonwealth Games.

It is expected to be a musical theatre event, but organisers will not say much more at this stage because they need £25,000 in sponsorship cash first.

Festival director Peter Reid said it would be of "huge international significance" with the potential for live television coverage.

Firm details are not available but it would be a ticket-only event for around 5,000 people.

And it would be run in conjunction with West End International which won widespread acclaim in the town when it organised the 'Musicals of the Millennium' concert in Queens Park in August 2000.

Mr Reid also has a growing reputation for delivering large events to the area.

He attracted the BBC's One Big Sunday event to Moss Bank Park in 2000. Last Christmas, he signed up Atomic Kitten to switch on the Christmas lights.

He said: "The concert will appeal to a wide audience. It is not a pop concert. It will be centered around theatre and musicals and be a big spectacular.

"We can't firm anything up yet until we get sponsorship cash but I can promise it will be a quality West End theatre production with top acts.

"Bolton has proven it can attract such names with Oasis, the Halle Orchestra and the One Big Sunday in recent years. This will be just as big."

Contact Nicola Brown at Bolton Council on 01204 334072 or Ged Kelly on 334156 if you can help.