PLANS for a massive opencast coal mine would improve the environment and bring jobs to the area, a public inquiry was told today.

A second enquiry into plans by RJB Mining, to extract two million tons of coal at Cutacre Tip on the Over Hulton and Little Hulton border opened today.

The enquiry being held in the Lancaster Suite at Bolton Town Hall, was told by RGB Development Director John Gough, that the scheme would remove one of the largest unrestored tips in Europe.

He said: "Our scheme would replace that with a landscape designed and created to the highest possible environment standards."

Bolton Council is opposing the plan which is expected to last about three days, even though the Authority has been warned it could face hefty legal costs if it loses.

About 20 opponents of the plan were at the inquiry today.

Members of the public and councillors due to speak include Cllr Alice Smyth, Cllr Doris Fernandez, Little Hulton resident John Edge, and Hulton Park Cllr Eric Hyland.

They will argue before Government Inspector Michael Culshaw that new Government guidelines mean the scheme should be turned down.

But Mr Gough argued that the plan would still be acceptable under the new rules.

A first public enquiry was held in 1998, but a new one was arranged after the Government guidelines were published.