BURY has won £285,000 to promote community harmony and hopefully avoid the troubles that have plagued other towns.

The borough is one of just three in the North West chosen by the Government to become a "pathfinder" for the concept of community cohesion.

The aim is to bring local people together in regenerating community spirit, sorting out problems before they escalate into the kind of tensions seen in places like Oldham.

Councillor John Byrne, council leader, said the money would help to improve relationships between all communities.

"There have not been any real major racial incidents in Bury," he said. "Nevertheless, just because we have not had them, it doesn't mean that we cannot have them. With this funding, we will be putting in place strategies to ensure that Bury remains a harmonious area."

He added: "This is a credit to the people who put together our bid and put forward such persuasive arguments."

The money will be split as follows: £150,000 for the council, £90,000 for community and voluntary groups, and £45,000 for "community champion" programmes aimed at young people.

Ms Carolyn Wilkins, assistant chief executive, said the programme would not concentrate solely on race, but on other relationships such as those between teenagers and old people.

She said the council would now sit down with voluntary groups and agencies like the police and NHS to draw up concrete proposals. Some would cover the whole borough, while other projects may be targeted at specific areas.

Announcing the money, home office minister Beverley Hughes said: "Strong, cohesive communities are essential for the country's well-being. We know how many communities face problems such as poverty and deprivation. This money gives the communities themselves the backing they need to develop local solutions.

"The efforts of local organisations and local people, together, have the most meaningful impact. This significant investment is another way of helping them to do that."