MAKING time to help others has earned a retired farmer the Bury Man of the Year title for 2004.

Mr Jack Kenneford was presented with a glass tankard engraved with the arms of the borough and the logo of awards sponsors Bury Hospice, by the Mayor of Bury Coun Wilf Davison. He was also awarded the Colin Caffrey Memorial Trophy to mark his voluntary work.

Mr Kenneford (75), who lives in Hilda Avenue, Tottington, with his wife, Sheila, said: "Naturally, I was very pleased and honoured at receiving the award. I was more than satisfied just to be nominated and chosen to represent the Ramsbottom and Tottington area."

In its second year, the Longfield Suite ceremony in Prestwich was attended by 100 guests.

Five nominees were shortlisted from candidates put forward by the area boards. They were Geoff Higginbottom for Bury East; Roy Rigby representing Bury West; David Curtis for Prestwich; and Ted Selby representing Whitefield and Unsworth for the second year.

Mr Mervyn Reeves, the hospice fund-raising manager, said: "The only disappointment of the evening was the people of Radcliffe didn't nominate a man from their area."