A REVOLUTIONARY new service aims to put Halliwell residents in the picture to help solve council problems more quickly.

For the next few months callers to the Halliwell Action Team office will be able to talk face-to-face with staff at Bolton Town Hall through a computer video link.

The new video-conferencing facility will be launched on Thursday during an open day at the office on Blackburn Road, by the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Eric Johnson.

And visitors are welcome to go along between 10.30am and 4pm on that day to see how the new facility works.

Sponsors Mercury and ICL-CFM will have a free prize draw for everyone who visits the office with a £100 and two £50 Marks and Spencer vouchers for the lucky winners.

The council is introducing the video link-up to reduce travelling time, queuing and to provide an interpreter service for local residents.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.