PUPILS and adults can receive extra help with their special educational and training needs.

The new premises of Rathbone, a national charity, have opened in Bolton Road, Bury.

One of the first visitors was Bury South MP Ivan Lewis, minister for young people, who handed out certificates of achievement.

He is pictured (front, third from left), with Rathbone officials and award recipients.

The Bury centre is one of 70 Rathbone sites in the UK which helps young people overcome barriers to learning, which may be due to their race, gender, background or learning disabilities.

Staff can support trainees on programmes ranging from Choices for pupils who may have been excluded or having difficulties at school, to the New Deal for adults who are finding it hard to gain employment.

Sue Yates, senior training adviser at Bury, said: "Now we have our new premises, we are able to provide a relaxed atmosphere combined with training and work experience opportunities."

Mr Lewis has previously visited Rathbone's national youth citizenship conference in Manchester.