THE Mayor of Bolton is set to open a dedicated help centre for retired members of the armed forces in the heart of the town centre.

Cllr Martin Donaghy says he plans to open the doors of the Bolton Armed Forces Centre in the former Sweetens bookshop in Deansgate on Armed Forces Day later this year.

Now he is urging volunteers to come forward to help turn his dream into a reality.

The Labour councillor for Tonge with The Haulgh appeared on Bolton FM on Wednesday to talk about how the new centre — the first of its kind in Greater Manchester — will help former army, air force and navy personnel access housing, employment, psychological and medical support after they leave the service.

He told presenter Kevan Williams he came up with the idea after watching an episode of Panorama.

He said: “It followed armed service men and women who returned from the theatres of war, who ended up in difficulties.

“Some of the veterans were suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, others were homeless.

“I thought to myself, is this any way to treat people who were prepared to lay down their lives for me, and this country — and the answer was no.”

The centre will work with the jobs centre to help ex-service men and women back into work and Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group to see they get any medical or psychological care needed.

A representative from Bolton At Home will also be on hand to help with any housing issues, while Cllr Donaghy says he is also working with Bolton College and the University of Bolton to set up an outreach service so former military members can get on higher education courses.

Cllr Donaghy added that he does not yet know what the demand on the service will be — but he initially hopes the centre will open two days a week.

He added: “This is a first for Bolton, and certainly a first as far as I know in Greater Manchester.

“If someone has been prepared to lay their life down on the line, the least we can do is support them.”

Armed Forces Day falls on Saturday, June 27.

Anyone who is able to volunteer a few hours of their time to help redecorate the centre or can offer any services when it opens is asked to call the Mayor's office on 01204 331001.