A EURO MP will today (Fri June 14) find out how vital European funding is being invested for the benefit of Bury.

Mr Gary Titley will be taking a look at the work of the Bury Business Environment Association, which is currently receiving a total of nearly £520,000 of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) grant. This is thanks to the comprehensive Objective 2 Action Plan for the borough, drawn up by Bury Strategic Partnership.

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 to 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. I know Gary has been very supportive of our attempts to attract grant support from Europe and his visit to Bury BEA will further highlight 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. It also 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."