OUTSTANDING results have secured Bury's two big colleges a place each in the premier league of further education.

Bury College and Holy Cross College are two out of only seven colleges in Greater Manchester to receive premium status in recognition of their high standards and achievement.

They are among 73 institutions nationally to have been chosen for the award, which secures additional funding.

The colleges will now be entitled to a premium of 3.5 per cent above the rate of inflation.

To gain the status, teams had to show how their college was making progress to meet the aims of a three year plan and how well their students were performing.

The accolades follow excellent reports from Ofsted for both institutions.

Bury College principal, Dr Helen Gilchrist, said: "I am delighted that Bury College has approved premium college status.

"The award celebrates the excellence of all our staff and recognises the college's excellent inspection report in 2003, the quality of our provision for students and our ability to meet challenging targets."

Mike O'Hare, principal of Holy Cross, was recently invited to a reception at Downing Street after the college obtained Beacon Status.

He said: "I am really pleased that the college is to receive premium funding to go alongside its recent award of Beacon Status, which is designed to recognise excellent institutions.

"These awards are the recognition of the hard work put in by staff at the college."

Announcements of the successful candidates were made by the Learning and Skills Council, which aims to drive up standards across the sector.

Executive director of the council, Liz Davies, said: "I want to congratulate Bury College and Holy Cross, which have worked so hard to reach this level.

"They have achieved extraordinary things and we are keen to recognise that."