A MASSIVE £3.6million spending spree to improve the lives of children in Bolton is well under way.

Last year the town was one of 40 areas chosen to run the first wave of the Government's Children's Fund.

It is to help children and young people aged between five and 13 through the development of preventative services for children and families at an early stage, not just when they reach crisis.

In January 54 new projects started across the borough involving hundreds of children and adults.

Groups who have received money so far include the Oxford Road Area Resident Group and Roshni Asian Women's Group, Bolton Lads and Girls Club, the NCH Bolton Family Centre and Bolton Wanderers and schools.

The money is being spent on counselling and group work, out of school clubs, parenting skills courses, newspaper club and sports and health courses.

Children's Fund partnership chairman John Baumber said: "We are really excited with the way the whole project has taken off. People came on board from day one.

"Children's Fund is about children but it's also about helping them through family support and putting the fun back into growing up."