MULTI-million pound plans to provide a retirement village for Bury's old people are moving a step closer.

Social services bosses are drawing up a shortlist of potential partners to build and run the complex.

Eight bids have been submitted to provide individual houses for rent and for sale alongside services such as shops, restaurants, leisure facilities, beauty salon and a health centre on site.

The project is part of the council's policy to help elderly people live in their own homes with appropriate support. The idea emerged following the closure of three council residential homes: Beech Grove, Warthfield and Claremont.

A steering group of councillors and officers has been looking at possible sites for the village in the borough, and visiting similar complexes elsewhere.

Elected members and managers will soon meet to evaluate the bids, firstly to develop the village and then to provide extra care to residents once the village has become operational.

The successful provider would be expected to identify a site, design and build the village, and identify the role of partners in the development. Equal consideration will be given to developers who wish to provide the care and support themselves, or with another provider.

Councillor Mike Connolly, executive member for health and social services, said: "We are very pleased at the quality of the tenders we have received and the job now is to come up with a shortlist to take forward our exciting vision for older people's services in Bury."