HE may not be grrrreat enough to be Bolton's first Man of the Year -- but Lofty the Lion is certainly the town's MANE of the Year!

And it was all made official yesterday when Bolton Wanderers' famous mascot received his own award in the Mayor's Parlour.

Lofty had been nominated for the town's first Man of the Year Awards by Jean Pasquill from Farnworth.

She felt that the Club's No 1 furry fan deserved recognition. Bolton's Mayor, Cllr Alan Wilkinson, and fellow organisers of next week's Man of the Year Dinner agreed, and that only a special award would do.

With Lofty yesterday to receive a handsome crystal decanter from the Mayor and Mayoress, Mrs Denise Wilkinson, was the real "Lion of Vienna", Wanderers' veteran hero Nat Lofthouse.

The Mayor said: "Lofty always lights up the room when he attends events and he is a great ambassador for the Wanderers, and for Bolton."

A Wanderers' spokesman added: "We're thrilled that Lofty is getting this award -- he's so popular with all ages, especially the children."

The Man of Bolton Dinner is being held at the Reebok Stadium on Friday, May 4, in aid of Vision Aid and the Mayor's Charity. Radio presenter Ian Cheeseman and broadcaster So Rahman will be the guest speakers, and entertainer Norman Prince will be MC.

Tickets for the evening, which includes a five-course meal, are £20 each, available from the Mayor's Office on 01204-331090.