A BURY-based project, which helped numerous companies find their feet in the world of information and communication technology (ICT), is "logging-off".

For this month sees the end of one of the borough's most influential and innovative ICT projects, ISaware.

Since being launched in Bury in March, 1999, and previously as a Greater Manchester project, ISaware has been assisting small businesses to grow through effective use of ICT.

With more than 30 business web sites created, 60 market traders web sites linked by two portal sites and more than 20 new jobs and innovative ICT projects to its credit, the ISaware project has been justifiably hailed as an "undoubted success". Funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Bury's Single Regeneration Budget (SRB), ISaware has received universal praise from beneficiaries and partners alike.

They were among 70 guests who attended an ISaware grand send-off at Bury Art Gallery.

The party was aimed at allowing guests to show their appreciation of the project and its achievements.

Commenting on his decision to harness ISaware's expertise, Mike Reilly of Bury-based SP Air, commented: "It backs up our company's shrewd decision to invest in e-business and to establish our own presence on the web.

"I would like to thank Bury ISaware for their support, advice and involvement."

Mike West, Bury SRB3 co-ordinator, said: "I am delighted that funding from the Single Regeneration Budget has allowed ISaware to grow.

"So many more businesses can benefit from their professional ICT advice on offer and meet new technological challenges with confidence."

Scot Eve Davidson, Bury ISaware manager, and her team established a separate but equally successful project which maintains its presence.

BURYBUSINESS.NETwork, ISaware's legacy, will live on continuing to receive further funding for another two years.

Network has already organised two massive IT exhibitions and has continued to host regular monthly meetings focusing on a wide range of ICT subjects.

Its web site has also become a focus for its activities and will be developed over the next two years to become a one-stop forum for local companies to discuss their business and ICT needs.

ISaware would like to thank its staff, both past and present, and its partners and supporters for the contribution they have made to the success of the project.