RESIDENTS in the Bury West area are invited to discuss local issues great and small on Thursday (Feb 22).

The new Bolton Road Sports Club is the setting for the next meeting of the Bury West area board.

High on the agenda will be the question of whether Bury should have a directly elected mayor, a topic which ordinary voters could help decide.

There will also be the usual open forum where people can raise any issues and ask questions of the police, health services, and local councillors.

The meeting takes place at the new sports club in Elton Vale Road, off Ainsworth Road, Bury, and starts at 7pm. Before the meeting, the cricket club will be presented with a cheque for £2,320 by area board chairman, Councillor Bob Bibby.

The money is to pay for wickets and a practice net, and comes from the board's Kickstart Funding budget.

Coun Bibby said: "The club are particularly keen to interest more young people in the sport, ranging from 'kwik cricket' competitions in local primary schools to building up their teenage teams.

"Other organisations and groups in the area should be aware that we still have some kickstart monies left and, although time is rapidly running out this financial year, those who act quickly enough will benefit. We are looking for any projects which will help to improve life in the community."

For details of Kickstart Funding, or about the Bury West board, contact area co-ordinator Ian McHugh on 253 6845.