BURY'S flourishing education-business partnership will be further strengthened with the launch of the "Adopt a School make a difference" project.

And the schools in the borough which will take part in the scheme were announced.

They are: Derby High School, Bury C of E High School, Fishpool, Chantlers and East Ward primaries, all Bury, Coney Green High School in Radcliffe and Woodhey High School, Ramsbottom.

Bolton and Bury's Education Business Partnership (EBP) will work with a total of 14 schools across both towns.

At the Adopt a School launch in March, EBP unveiled plans to work with a number of schools and employers in the first year.

The initiative is being backed by the Secretary of State for Education, Estelle Morris who sent along a keynote speaker to the launch and wrote the foreword for the EBP's booklet, Innovation and Inspiration.

Bolton and Bury EBP director Charlotte Chadwick said: "We are so looking forward to developing the partnerships between the businesses and the schools in our area.

"Everyone is so keen to get involved and really make a difference in Bolton and Bury. We are delighted to announce these schools and businesses and will keep everyone updated with progress as we move towards September and the new school year.

"We hope to engage the business volunteers in really exciting projects with both pupils and teachers," she added.

The participating businesses include Royal Bank of Scotland, NatWest, WH Smith, MBDA, McDonalds, The Valiners, Crefys Recruitment, 02, Keoghs, Inland Revenue, Halifax and Bury's Mill Gate shopping centre.

Over the coming months, meetings will take place between the headteachers and the businesses and an action plan will be drawn up that suits both partners' needs.