VISITORS the the town centre are being urged not to miss their last chance to see an insightful and illuminating exhibition on how and why Bolton’s migrant communities came to call the town home.

The interactive Destination Bolton project, which is on display at the Market Place for its final day today, is a unique spectacle which aims to share the stories of Bolton’s migrant communities and develop young people’s understanding of migration, movement and settlement.

Created in partnership between Bolton Catholic Primary Schools and the Prince’s Teaching Institute, the project mirrors another exciting initiative at the The Migration Museum in London.

Organisers have been seeking to encourage as many of the town’s more than 5,000 young people from migrant communities to tell their stories.

Participants include people who have come from countries as diverse as Italy, Nigeria, El Salvador, Zimbabwe and Hong Kong ­— from those who have been here for generations to those who may be new to the town.

Some families have settled because of changes in employment, others for family, love or to seek refuge, while others still because their great grandparents and beyond made Bolton their home.

These young people and their families were invited to share their experiences in just a few sentences on a paper “story disc”, which have been put on display at the Market Place.

Passers-by have also added their own stories to the display which has grown to encompass several powerful displays.

Among the incredible histories is that of a Year 5 pupil's great grandparents ­— one protestant and one catholic ­— whose love was forbidden in their Irish homeland. In their 20s the two eloped to Bolton and married and their family have remained ever since.

Another touching tale concerns another pair of great grandparents, one a German soldier captured during the Second World War and sent to England as a prisoner of war. He soon fell in love and the couple moved to Bolton.

While one young Bolton resident is the product of fortunate happenstance after her mother moved to the town from Spain, and her father from Germany, where they met and fell in love, settling down to create a family life here.

Nikki Wilson-Cook, centre manager at the Market Place, said: “We are really excited to be a part of the Destination Bolton project.

“It’s such an educational initiative for all generations to enjoy and it really shines a light on the cultural diversity of the town.”

Hope Booth, Year 5 teacher at Holy Infants RC Primary School added: "This project has been really powerful and positive and great for our schools who have been able to collaborate and work more closely together.

"We have got a great response and to hear how positive people have been about the town, its sense of communty and their choice to stay here has been overwhelming."