A WEALTHY businessman who donated £100,000 to the Bolton Coronary Care Appeal has visited the town to meet heart patients.

Former Farnworth Grammar schoolboy Eddie Davies -- who has also survived a heart attack -- met patients at the Royal Bolton Hospital which will benefit from his generous donation.

Mr Davies, who grew up in Little Lever, is hoping other business people will support the appeal, backed by the Bolton Evening News, to raise £1 million to build a new heart unit by 2003.

When Mr Davies made the donation two months ago it took the appeal past the half-way mark and the total now stands at £549,000.

Mr Davies, aged 55, runs a company which makes thermostatic controls for kettles and he now lives on the Isle of Man.

But he still has strong connections with the town as many of his relatives still live in Bolton and he is a director of Bolton Wanderers.

He heard about the appeal from fellow Wanderers board member, bread tycoon Brett Warburton, chairman of the appeal.

Mr Davies, who had heart surgery six years ago, decided to support the appeal as soon at he heard it had been set up.

Recalling his own heart attack Mr Davies said: "I suffered a heart attack when I was playing squash at the age of 39. Since I had surgery my health has been much improved. The appeal is very worthwhile as heart disease is one of the major health problems in Bolton.

"The key is educating people to be more healthy. But we also need good treatment. If I can help, I am all too happy to do so."

The hospital has six beds for coronary patients but the new unit will boost that to 10.

Mr Davies met patients including Amina Bhatoo, aged 53, from Bromley Cross, who had a heart attack last Monday and was rushed to hospital.

She said: "The ambulance came in nine minutes and I can't fault the care I have received. I think it's wonderful that someone would make such a donation to help more people get this kind of treatment."

Brett Warburton said Mr Davies, who was awarded the OBE in 2000 for services to industry, had made a huge difference to the appeal.

Mr Warburton added: "Getting over the half-way mark made us feel we could do this. We hope his donation will inspire others to follow suit.

People who want to take part in fund-raising should contact the appeal manager, Jenny Walsh, atthe Royal Bolton Hospital