A BOLTON businessman whose exports help the world go round was meeting with Commonwealth Games officials today in a bid to put his home town on the map.

John Entwistle, chairman and managing director of the British Turntable Company and chairman of the Bolton WIDE business generation organisation, is supporting Bolton Council's efforts to make sure that the borough benefits long term from the games experience.

He and other business leaders are working closely with the council so that, in the words of council leader Cllr Bob Howarth, "Bolton doesn't miss the boat".

Mr Entwistle was due to attend a top level meeting today to find out exactly how Bolton businesses can benefit.

The MD heads a prolific exporting business which deals with a total of 240 companies throughout the Commonwealth and many others in the rest of the world.

British Turntable Company, established in Bolton more than 30 years ago, is a technical innovator and world leader in the manufacture of turntables of all sizes and capacities.

As a result of its worldwide reputation, the company has been at the forefront of a series of government-led export drives in recent years.

Mr Entwistle and his staff have vast knowledge of the Commonwealth countries and he is hoping that other companies will follow his lead in inviting overseas business people to come to Bolton for the Games. He said: "We are taking this opportunity to encourage our overseas customers and potential customers to come here for the Games.

"It will be a wonderful chance to meet face to face in the atmosphere of what are known as 'the friendly games'."

The Manchester based development agency MIDAS, which has set up the Commonwealth Games Economic Benefits Initiative with the Manchester 2002 team, has urged businesses throughout the region to use the Games to combine business with pleasure.

Bolton Council's economic team is hoping companies will take the opportunity to generate business by getting firmly into the spotlight that will be thrown on Bolton when the badminton and cycling events are held here in July and August next year.

Global TV coverage will give an audience of at least one billion worldwide. Mr Entwistle will accompany Bolton Council's economic development chiefs and the Bolton and Bury Chamber when they meet Midas in Manchester to discuss ideas.

Cllr Howarth said: "Since Manchester first began bidding for the 2002 Games, Bolton Council has set out to be a major player because we recognise that there could be significant long term benefits to Bolton.

"No one except the city of Manchester is doing more than Bolton to host the Games and we want to make the most of every opportunity, particularly in the fields of business and tourism, that this wonderful event will open up."