GETTING a grounding in Groundwork!

That's Euro MP Gary Titley, who has found out first hand how vital EU cash is benefiting Bury.

He was the guest of the thriving Bury Business Environment Association (BEA), which operates under the Groundwork Bury banner. Groundwork status was only awarded to the area earlier this year.

During his visit, Mr Titley, whose office is in Radcliffe, was briefed about the fact that Bury BEA has just received a grant of almost £520,000 through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), thanks to the comprehensive Objective 2 Action Plan for the Borough, drawn up by the Bury Strategic Partnership.

At Groundwork's Link House headquarters, Mr Titley was told of the sterling work carried out by the Bury BEA to help, advise and assist many local businesses.

Bury Council executive member for economic and social regeneration, Councillor Ray Watts, said: "Bury BEA is run by the newly-established Groundwork Bury, which is playing a leading role in regeneration and helping improve the local environment and the lives of local people.

"Thanks to the action plan, which has attracted this extra European funding, it means that they can successfully get on with the job they are doing."

He added: "I know Gary has been very supportive of our attempts to attract grant support from Europe and his visit to Bury BEA further highlighted the benefits that on-going European Structural Fund assistance is bringing to Bury."

Bury BEA assists small and medium sized businesses in the Bury area to be more competitive, through developing environmentally-friendly products, practices and processes.

It provides awareness raising and information on the benefits of good health, safety and environmentally-friendly practices and products. In addition, it gives on-site support, action planning and company-specific assistance to help businesses address shortfalls and to access grant aid to develop their productive capacity, management systems and environmental impact.

Local authority European and external funding manager, Hilary Sayers, said: "Organisations like Groundwork Bury have a significant impact and bring real benefits to our borough.

"Thanks to the ERDF money, that work is set to continue for some time yet. Meanwhile, the council will continue to try and identify other forms of European funding that Bury can take advantage of."