A BURY man is striving to bring pharmacy services into the heart of the community.

Mr Ian Strachan wants to break the town centre stranglehold on such facilities by setting up his own pharmacy in Walmersley Road.

He has already been given the go-ahead by Primary Care Trust (PCT) bosses and an application to build a purpose-built pharmacy at the Chesham precinct is expected to go before Bury Council's planning control sub-committee next month.

Meanwhile, Mr Strachan is waiting to learn whether any other pharmacies in the area will object to his plan.

But in anticipation of appeals, he has already launched a petition to generate public support and is also asking local councillors in the Walmersley area and Bury North MP David Chaytor to back him.

"I've carried out a lot of research from census data which shows that Walmersley has a higher percentage of older people than any other ward. The area also has the highest incidence of chronic illness and long-term disability."

Mr Strachan said that if his own plan is successful, then it will offer an alternative to town centre pharmacies and benefit those, particularly the elderly, who do not have access to a car.

He added: "The PCT has approved my application, saying they recognise the need for my pharmacy. But other pharmacies in the area now have 30 days if they want to appeal against that decision.

"I've written to Moorside councillors and the MP in anticipation of objections, asking them for letters of approval and endorsements for what I'm trying to do. I've also put a petition in the local post office at Chesham which hopefully people will sign."

He feels that if his plans are challenged, then public support will be vital in allowing him to ultimately achieve his aim of establishing a pharmacy in Walmersley Road.

Mr Strachan is a qualified pharmacist and since 1986 has been involved in the service.

"I really want to bring pharmacy services out of the town centre and more into the heart of the communities where people need them," he added.

If he is unable to build his own pharmacy, then he will explore the possibility of setting up in an existing unit at Chesham precinct.