A MULTI-million pound snowfall follows Euro backing for Xanadu.

Santa Claus opened his sack early to announce a £4.5million Christmas cracker for Leigh in the shape of an EC grant.

Funds distributors were impressed with the latest estimate that the snow and water park project will create over 2,000 permanent jobs and attract four million visitors a year!

And the Xanadu allocation - awarded subject to the project going ahead - will help fund revolutionary real snow technology.

Although only a small part of the total cost, the EC grant is seen by developers as an important step in securing the project.

Council Leader Peter Smith said:"This is great news just in time for Christmas.

"It is a big vote of confidence in the technical excellence of the scheme and in Leigh as the right location."

Joint Xanadu developer Chris Baybutt of Greenbank Partnerships said: "We are delighted Xanadu has won the endorsement of the regional government office and the EC.

"This will be a big boost in our efforts to tie-up commercial investment."

But the Green Party's Chris Maile, who oppose Xanadu, will be attempting to reverse the decision.

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