EXPERTISE built up in Radcliffe to foster countryside teamwork among youngsters will be exported across the region.

Successful team building exercises for children, put together by the Bury Countryside Rangers, have attracted attention among the borough's neighbours.

This specialist training, which has links with the 999 Challenge events organised by the emergency services, is now being provided to youth development officers across Greater Manchester. It will also help delegates from other countryside services in the region and officers from the fire and ambulance services.

The Youth Work Training Day took place two at the Millennium Wood in Outwood, Radcliffe where there was a morning of team building exercises. This was followed in the afternoon, at the request of Greater Manchester Police, with search and rescue activities at Philips Park in Whitefield and run by Bolton Mountain Rescue Team. Councillor Steve Treadgold, Bury Council's youth spokesman, said: "The day should bring big benefits for children and young people across Greater Manchester, giving those who organise events for them some useful ideas and also valuable contacts."

Coun Wayne Campbell, environment chairman, added: "We hope that the lessons learnt in Bury will find their way into other areas, and encourage not just introducing young people to team building and the principles of working together, but also a greater enjoyment and understanding of the countryside and our environment generally."