THE populations of Bolton and Bury continue to grow, latest census figures reveal.

While the populations of Manchester and Salford have steadily fallen over the last 10 years, many surrounding towns are expanding according to the Registrar General.

Bury has seen the biggest growth over the last decade with a population increase of 5.3 pc and last year 181,900 people were living in the borough.

Bolton is the third fastest growing town after Tameside, recording a 2.6pc increase, taking its population last year to 265,400.

But the growth rate has steadily slowed over the decade and last year the populations in both Bury and Bolton remained stable.

Overall there are 12,900 more residents in Greater Manchester than 10 years ago, an increase of 0.5 pc and throughout England the population increased by 0.4pc taking it to 49 million last year.

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