A STREET cleaner, a social worker and a team of school crossing wardens could be named as Bury Council's first employees of the year next week.

The Mayor of Bury, Councillor Wilf Davison, will present individuals and departments with the council's first Employee Achievement Awards at Bury Town Hall's Elizabethan Suite on Thursday (Jan 29).

One person will also take the overall prize, the David Burton Annual Achievement Award. Named after the council's former chief executive, this will be presented by his widow, Mrs Gill Burton. The event is being sponsored by Greenfield, a major council training partner.

More than 90 nominations were submitted from fellow council workers and members of the public, which were whittled down by a team of officers and members.

The shortlist for individual prizes includes town centre street cleaner Albert Bailey, child protection officer Gail Eccles, business networks officer Brian Berry and access and inclusion schools officer Trish Dawson.

Shortlisted teams include the school crossing team, staff at Tottington Library, the community meal service and the emergency planning team.

Councillor Tony Isherwood, executive member for performance management, said: "Bury Council is very proud of its staff and the efforts they are making to improve services on behalf of residents, local businesses and visitors to Bury. All the nominees have displayed commitment and dedication in their roles to the benefit of the services we provide."

The nominations are:

David Burton Award: No nominations. A single winner to be announced at the ceremony.

Chief executive's department: Individual awards: Derek Bedford (finance section), Karen Brockway (customer care), Margaret Fitton (revenues and benefits). Team awards: emergency planning team, organisation development, revenues and benefits.

Environment and development services department: Individual awards: Albert Bailey (street cleaner); Brian Berry (business networks); Jean Gartside (community safety); Neil Long (parks and countryside). Team awards: repairs and maintenance; school crossing; Techno Team.

Education and cultural services department: Individual awards: Trish Dawson (access and inclusion); Shelia Gaskell (school effectiveness); Alison Vidler (external funding). Team awards: library management team; Theatre Workshop; Tottington Library.

Social services, health and housing: Individual Awards: Gail Eccles (child protection); Diana Powell (team manager); Julia Maurer (social worker). Team awards: hospital social work team; community meal service; housing management team.