RESIDENTS of a Bury housing estate have pulled together to create a community haven.

The Topping Fold and Fairfield Tenants and Residents Association, Bury Libraries and Bury Council's Housing Services joined forces to improve leisure, education and employment opportunities in the area.

The project started earlier this year to revamp a house on the estate and make it into a centre for the community, equipped with facilities to run courses, and for local groups to meet.

Courses are due to start this month in basic counselling, digital camera use, basic computer skills, Christmas crafts, hair and beauty and jewellery making.

Residents also have use of the library at the centre, and facilities are now being used by the over 50s club, luncheon club, CAB and housing advice.

The project, on Topping Fold, has been funded by Bury Council and the East Bury Initiative single regeneration budget.

The centre, gardens and library were officially opened by the Mayor and the Mayoress of Bury, Barry and Sharon Briggs. Local councillors for the ward also attended the opening.

Stephanie Devine, community development worker for the area, said: Its great that there is now this centre for the people in the area.

It has been a long process but it will be used by the community for years to come.

Anviksha and Harshanaa Patel, children of local shopkeepers, presented the flowers to the Mayoress and the unveiling afternoon was a relaxed affair with afternoon tea and tours of the centre including slide shows about the whole of the project so far.