RESIDENTS are being urged to put pen to paper and back the borough's fight for a fairer funding deal.

People are asked to send in letters of support, which will be passed to the Deputy Prime Minister, as part of the "Bury Deserves Better" campaign.

Bury lies 35th of the 36 metropolitan councils when it comes to poor funding from central government.

Ministers are drawing up a new system of distributing cash, and Bury councillors are appealing for local help in putting on the pressure.

Councillor John Byrne, council leader, said: "We have joined forces with other authorities who find themselves in a similarly poor financial position as ourselves. We hope that by working together we can all benefit.

"However, there is no doubt that we want and need the full support of local people. We urge them to put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, to express their views and underline the strength of feeling that there is in the borough.

"For too long we have languished at the bottom of the league table when it comes to the financial support that Bury receives compared to similar councils.

"A strong campaign, with backing from all political parties on the council, has been launched and we intend to sustain and expand that.

"It can only help if local people write to the deputy prime minister to express their support. Bury does deserve better. What do you say?"

Letters should be addressed to the Deputy Prime Minister c/o Mike Owen, Bury Council's director of finance and e-government, Bury Town Hall, Knowsley Street, Bury, BL9 0SW. Alternatively, send an email to fairdeal@bury.gov.uk