BURY got an extra £1.2 million into its coffers for rengeration projects in the past 12 months.

That's how much the North West Development Agency (NWDA) agreed to give after talks with council leaders.

The money has or will be used in a wide range of reclamation and regeneration projects within the borough.

The grant approvals from the NWDA cover works on projects which are now underway next to the Castle Leisure Centre (ELR Embankment), at Castlecroft behind Bolton Street and for further works to the public areas around the Longfield Centre in Prestwich.

Funding has also been provided to acquire and assemble land for future projects in the York Street area of Bury.

Small increases to grant ceilings have also been announced to allow projects at Rainsough Brow, Prestwich, Coney Green, Radcliffe and Openshaw Park, Bury, to be completed.

Bury Metro's environment and transport chief, Councillor Stella Smith, said: "In the past, many areas of our borough have benefited from the grants we have been able to obtain through the North West Development Agency and other organisations.

"It is good to see that this momentum has been maintained and that the levels of investment in the place where we live, work and enjoy continues.

"Bury has always had a good track record when it comes to attracting investment of this nature and our planners are to be thanked for not only identifying projects that can benefit from this cash support, but also for putting together the kind of bids which ensure that the funding does come to us."