HOMELESSNESS in Ramsbottom and surrounding areas is set to be tackled with a £750,000 grant.

Bury Council has secured one of the highest homelessness grants in the country -- with it receiving £375,000 in 2004/2005 and the same amount the year after to tackle homelessness.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Homeless Directorate has decided to give the authority the highest allocation in the North West after Manchester -- and the seventh highest outside of London.

This announcement follows a visit to the area by representatives of the Homeless Directorate last month and an assessment of Bury's past performance in tackling homelessness.

The money will help homeless people who are on the streets, in temporary accommodation or staying with friends and family to gain appropriate accommodation.

Coun Tim Chamberlain, Bury Council's executive member for regeneration and housing, said: "This grant is recognition of the very innovative and successful schemes our staff have developed across the borough to tackle homelessness.

"It will allow us to continue and build on the good work carried out so far in tackling the problem of homelessness and allow further development on the local strategy."

The cash will back up the council's existing funding to ease the problem of homelessness and help to stop people falling into the homelessness cycle.

This grant allocation reflects the work that has already gone into tackling homelessness and will enable the authority to deliver much-needed services.

Eleni Ioannides, the council's Director of Health, Housing and Social Services, said: "This allocation clearly demonstrates to the whole country how highly the ODPM regards homelessness services in Bury.

"When most councils of our size have been given £10,000-£20,000, we have been given £375,000 because we are seen as a council which can and has delivered in this area.

"Last month's ODPM visit was very positive and this is the proof that this really is the way they feel about us."