MORE places at Bolton School will be made available to bright children whose parents cannot afford the fees -- thanks to Milliken Industrials Ltd.

The American-owned textile manufacturing company, which has premises in Bury, Burnley, Middleton and Wigan, is awarding bursaries at the school.

Since the loss of the government Assisted Places scheme in 1997, Bolton School has been raising money for its bursary fund by approaching local companies for support.

The governors are determined to maintain the "open door" policy which was a guiding principle of local benefactor and philanthropist Lord Leverhulme.

The first pupil to benefit from a Milliken bursary lives in Radcliffe and started at the school's Girls' Division last September.

Milliken supports local schools in all its areas where it has businesses-- either by responding to individual requests from schools or through initiatives such as Young Enterprise.

Mr Peter Banks, Milliken European Finance Director, said: "We are delighted to be able to assist Bolton School, enabling someone to benefit from this educational opportunity."

A second Milliken bursary is to be awarded for next September following the release of the results of the recent entrance examination.