SAVING the lives of road accident victims is all in a day's work for Bury's 999 challengers.

And the efforts of the borough's young "lifesavers" have been honoured during a presentation evening in Bolton to thank all the teams who took part in the Greater Manchester "999 Challenge 2001" project.

The teams of young people, aged from ten to 18 years, have progressed through the five phases of the challenge by tackling a range of activities, from a mock crash incident to resuscitation skills. The aim is to provide them with an insight into all three emergency services. Some of the phases of the challenge involved the teams taking part in team-building and community initiatives. One of Bury's two teams of youngsters used the money they had raised selling cakes at Bury's police station open day to turn the children's outpatients waiting room at Fairfield Hospital into a "stranger danger" zone.

Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Mr David Wilmot, was among the first to pay tribute to all the entrants.

He said: "I would like to congratulate these young people on the hard work and commitment they have show in completing the challenge."

Mr John Burnside, Greater Manchester Ambulance Service's chief executive, added: "The 999 Challenge is a wonderful opportunity for young people to take part in a variety of activities that not only develop them as individuals, but also gives them a valuable insight into the emergency services."

And County Fire Officer, Mr George Almond, concluded: "It is extremely pleasing to see all the emergency services working together for the benefit of the young people of Greater Manchester.

"The Challenge provides them with important skills that will undoubtedly be useful to them throughout their lives."

The Platinum Suite at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton was the venue for the presentation evening, where all 999 Challenge entrants received certificates.