THE town's new chief superintendent says he is immensely proud to be taking on the division’s top role.

Ch Supt Shaun Donnellan was appointed in the job earlier this month. He has worked as Wigan's chief superintendent for five years and will now oversee both towns.

Ch Supt Donnellan said: “I'm really excited about becoming the chief superintendent of Bolton. I'm immensely proud to have two areas like Bolton and Wigan that are both completely separate.

“While in the role I will embark on partnership working and community cohesion. We are trying to look after our most vulnerable people and I will be building on the great work Ch Supt David Hull has done in Bolton.”

He added: “I am most excited about the diversity of the borough. I can build on the close partnership between the police and elected members. We can do great things together.”

Ch Supt Donnellan said overseeing two areas “would not be a problem” adding that people should not worry about one town being neglected.

He takes over from Ch Supt David Hull, who stepped aside to start a role at GMP’s headquarters where he will look into future changes for the force.

The force's 10 divisional commanders were reduced to five as part of cash saving measures after it was announced last year a further £66 million needed to be saved.

Ch Supt Donnellan praised the work of the new partnership in the town centre which is working to improve the night time economy and attract families and older people to Bolton.

Licensees, door staff, taxi firms, CCTV operators, Bolton Street Angels, police and Bolton Council have joined forces to come up with ways to make the town more attractive.

Ch Supt Donnellan joined the force in 1981 and has worked in CID on many high profile murder cases, including the Manchester IRA bombings in 1996, and Jessie James, aged 15, who was gunned down as he cycled through Moss Side, Manchester, in 2006. He also worked on the Strangeways prison riot in 1990.