SHOPPERS are flocking to Bolton despite claims that the town is falling behind rivals such as the Trafford Centre .

Just a few months ago, the Greater Manchester Research Unit claimed visitors to Bolton had fallen by a quarter and said more investment was needed to fill 24 empty shops.

Nearly 10 per cent of shop units were empty, while rents were the third highest in Greater Manchester, the research unit said. But new figures have revealed that business in Bolton is still on the up.

More than 9.14 million people visited Crompton Place Shopping Centre during the past 12 months -- a rise of 11 per cent on the year before. And the number of visitors to the Market Place has risen by 6.6 per cent.

More than eight million people are expected to shop there in the next 12 months.

Shopping in Bolton has received new boosts in the past few months. Fashion giant Next has announced plans to open a branch at the Middlebrook Retail Park selling women's, gents' and children's clothing.

And TK Maxx -- which sells discounted designer clothes, homeware and gifts -- opened in The Gates Shopping Centre last month.

The latest franchise to move into Bolton is Music Zone, which has opened a store in the Market Place. Managing director Russ Grainger had a shop in the town nearly 10 years ago and says he could not wait to open a new store in Bolton.

He said: "We have been looking for the right location for a long time, as we feel a real affinity with local people."

Cathy Savage from Bolton'sTown Centre Management said today: "Bolton is still a great place to shop.

" It is very compact and has just as much to offer as places like Manchester. We are always trying to bring more businesses to the town."