NORTH West Water today announced that it is withdrawing the controversial Lever Park Bill.

It follows the Millennium Commission's decision last month not to fund the "Blue Planet" educational visitor centre at Rivington.

It would have been built in the grounds of the company's Rivington water treatment works and was part of a £15 million improvement scheme for Lever Park.

Revenue from the centre would have been used to maintain the restored terraced gardens and fund other improvements in the park. But opponents feared it would lead to the commercialisation of the area.

Mr Mike Crabtree, North West Water's head of conservation, access and recreation, said: "We will be withdrawing the Lever Park Bill which is currently with Parliament. The company is now taking stock of the situation and will be discussing with local councils and the local community, the options available and the best way to carry them forward."

Mr Graeme McIver, press officer of the Lever Park Action Group, said: "This is good news and very much a step in the right direction. We would now like to see a truly independent trust set up where the public can take part in deciding the future of the park."

Meanwhile, Bolton councillors yesterday decided that they would like to see the rest of the scheme go ahead and want to arrange a meeting with North West Water.

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