LIBRARIES in the borough have been given a £250,000 funding boost.

The money from the Libraries Opportunities for Everyone Innovation Fund will be shared between the Wigan borough and the nine other local authorities in Greater Manchester.

Arts Council England and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have granted the money for a project called Big Ideas Generators, which will support innovation and enterprise in libraries.

It will see a unique customer service delivered by one team working across the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, a first for the city region.

The project will deliver personalised one-to-one business information surgeries, 'how to' sessions, workshops and informal networking opportunities, as well as specialist training in skills such as 3D printing.

With a focus on reaching women and black and minority ethnic groups, participants will gain vital information and digital support to navigate their entrepreneurial journey and develop new skills.

Sir Richard Leese, Greater Manchester Combined Authority lead member for economic strategy and leader of Manchester City Council, said: "Greater Manchester is a hive of innovation and entrepreneurialism and our libraries have a vital role to play in helping nurture some of the great ideas that are out there.

“This project will help them become a reality and equip the region's budding business people with the skills to prosper."