TOWN Hall leaders have headed full steam for China in the drive to bring business and visitors to the borough.

They left on Friday (June 21) on an eight-day trip to promote cultural exchanges and trade links.

The visit is the culmination of a 13-year link with the city of Datong, in North East China, centred around the success of the East Lancashire Railway (ELR).

On the trip are Mr Mark Sanders, the council's chief executive; Councillor Ray Watts, executive member for economic and social regeneration; and Mr Adrian Frost, partnerships and investment manager. They are joined by ELR members and representatives from Rossendale Council.

Before his departure, Coun Watts said: "This is an exciting opportunity and we have high hopes that the trip will lead to increased activity between our borough and Datong.

"China is a potentially huge market place for western companies. While we don't expect to be winning orders overnight for businesses in Bury, we are hoping to lay down the foundations for the future. We have a lot to learn from each other and visits like this can only help to break down the barriers."

The Bury connection with Datong, a major railway manufacturing city, began in 1989.

Mr Trevor Jones, who was involved with the ELR then and is also going on the trip, said: "We were contacted by officials in London who had received a delegation from Datong, but were struggling to find suitable places for them to visit.

"They asked if we could help out and, without knowing what we were letting ourselves in for, we said yes. Things went really well and the Chinese were especially pleased when they were introduced to the then Mayor of Bury, Monty Adler, who, wearing his mayoral chain, casually dropped in on them one evening.

"Since then, we have never looked back and Datong has sent over an increasing number of representatives on several occasions."

More recently, the ELR's success in running a tourist line has taken on greater significance to the Chinese.

Mr Jones added: "The city is setting up what will be the biggest steam loco museum in the world and they are keen to strengthen the ties between themselves and our area, and to find out even more about the way we operate."

The Chinese are paying for accommodation and travel costs in China, with Bury Council paying for air fares and visas for its three representatives.