A CHAPLAIN is hoping to do his bit to boost business on the High Street.

Town centre chaplain Keith Armstrong spends his days walking around the shops in Bolton speaking to staff — and to shoppers — about their every day worries.

And one of those concerns — for store bosses at least — is the number of people visiting the town centre and spending their money in Bolton.

So Mr Armstrong, who started work as Bolton's town centre chaplain last year, came up with the idea of an egg hunt during the week leading up to Easter, with eggs hidden in various shops around the town centre.

Mr Armstrong said: "The aim of this is to support staff in the town centre by encouraging people to visit the different stores.

"Hopefully, it is a way of getting youngsters excited about Easter and also getting their parents to take them around as many shops as possible.

"Our remit is to support staff in different shops in the town centre so hopefully this will encourage people to go into shops they might not normally visit.

"The children will take their parents or grandparents with them and while the youngsters are copying down the eg patterns, then the parents will spend a few minutes in that shop."

Mr Armstrong regularly visits stores in Newport Street as well as speaking to traders in Bolton Market, Crompton Place and Market Place.

Nikki Wilson-Cook, centre manager at Market Place, said: “Easter is an important religious holiday, working with Keith and his team on this town wide celebration is the perfect opportunity for Market Place to give back to the community and show our support.”

Paula Wood, Crompton Place manager, said: “Crompton Place is one of the main shopping centres in Bolton and being indoor, we are an ideal venue for community groups like the Town Centre Chaplaincy to host events throughout the year.

“We are pleased to play our part in the town-wide Easter activities which Keith and his team are planning.

"I know they spend a lot of time providing a listening service for people working in the town and so this gives us a chance to support what they are doing too.

“I feel sure the Easter treasure hunt will be a huge hit with our families out shopping and there will be a chance to win some prizes too.”

Mr Armstrong and his egg hunt team will be in Crompton Place on Monday, March 30; Bolton Market on Tuesday, March 31; Newport Street on Wednesday, April 1; and Market Place on Thursday, April 2.

The egg hunt takes place between 10am and 3pm on every day.

Youngsters completed activity sheets will go on display following the competition.