URBAN regeneration in the borough is set for a £3.4 million boost over the next six years.

A full Groundwork Trust is being set up to allow the Business Environmental Association (BEA) to massively expand its community programme.

Bury Council and the Government are to put £300,000 each into the scheme, which could then bring in other money totalling £3.39 million.

Subject to final approval, the new organisation should start operating next month.

Councillor John Byrne, council leader, described it as "tremendous news" which would benefit the whole borough.

He said that support from partners such as the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers meant that improvement work for the countryside was well catered for.

"The new Groundwork Trust will therefore be very much more focused on our urban area, and particularly involving the wider community," he said.

The trust will initially operate for six years, with a review after four years to allow people to make changes to ensure its ongoing funding.

Mike Kinsella, of Bury BEA, said three main targets had been drawn up for the trust, which were:

Improving competitiveness, image and job retention for businesses

Increasing the number of local environmental improvements and neighbourhood renewal projects

Working with the council and community on strategies from parks and housing estate improvements to youth offending

"We are looking forward to the future and April 1 will mark the start of some busy and highly productive years to come," he said.