SPECIAL plaques have been commissioned to mark the wide range of regeneration projects carried out through the East Bury Initiative.

They will be presented to 40 schemes over the next few months and displayed at various centres and offices in the area.

The first presentation was made by Councillor Trevor Holt, chairman of the East Bury Initiative Steering Group, to Paul Haunch of Groundwork Bury and Heather Saul of Business Solutions. Groundwork Bury delivers the Environments for the Community project, helping to generate participation in local environmental action. Business Solutions, a division of Bury College, provides an IT centre at Link House, Bury offering facilities for businesses and community groups.

More than £4 million in Government money has helped pay for the projects. Bury Council administers the programme under the Bury Local Strategic Partnership.

Coun Holt said: "There is so much regeneration activity in East Bury that it's often difficult to keep track of the projects. In presenting these plaques we will have a permanent reminder of where the Initiative has invested money and where benefits have been realised."

Fittingly the plaques were designed and manufactured by Signconex Ltd of Bury.