BOLTON has gained a host of awards in the building version of the Oscars.

The Civic Trust has singled out three developments in the town for special praise from a total of 16 buildings across the whole of Greater Manchester.

The £15 million Bolton Arena, which opened last year, received a commendation and was praised for its "simple elegance and thoughtful finish".

The state-of-the-art venue at Middlebrook boasts some of the most impressive tennis facilities in the country with the indoor courts likely to be used for future Davis Cup matches.

There are six outdoor clay courts and the Lawn Tennis Association's regional headquarters have been moved into the building. The indoor tennis courts will be adapted into badminton courts for this summer's Commonwealth Games with seating capacity for 6,000 people.

The conversion of a town centre school into trendy flats also received a commendation award.

The Old School Rooms in Great Moor Street used to be the old grammar school which closed in the early 1970s and later became Bolton Institute's Art and Design department.

The institute sold the red brick building three years ago as part of a £1.5 million revamp of college premises. Irwell Valley Housing Association now owns the building which has benefited from major refurbishment.

The development includes 40 apartments comprising 12 different types but predominantly two-bedroomed flats ranging in price from £59,950 to £83,000. The apartments have a chic, ultra-modern feel about them. There is a central atrium and all have fitted kitchens and bathrooms, wooden-effect laminate flooring and electric heating. The Arches housing development on the site of the old sports centre in Silverwell Street also received a mention on the awards list for its low cost and contemporary design.

Building projects in Bolton which almost made it into the final list included Victoria Square and the offices complex at the site of the old hospital in Chorley Street.

Peter Hope, chairman of Bolton and District Civic Trust's planning committee, visited the sites in the run-up to the awards scheme together with an independent architect and a planning officer from Bolton Council. Mr Hope said: "I'm delighted that Bolton has done so well. The county grammar adaptation is a fine building and has been done nicely and I hope it goes well for the developer.

"The Arena is a much appreciated development and we are lucky to have it in Bolton. We knew we didn't have an outright winner in Bolton but are pleased to have three projects singled out."

Other developments which achieved prizes in the area included Castlefield in Manchester, Oldham bus station and The Lowry project.