A QUEST to improve life for people living in Fernhill, Bury, has taken a step forward.

Bury Community Enterprise Company (BCE), launched two years ago, has been given a £21,000 grant to help achieve its aim of "making a difference".

The cash, from the Church Urban Fund, will go towards the creation of Fernhill's first community enterprise project worker.

And further good news for residents is that plans are already well advanced to establish a £113,000 community cyber cafe and healthy living centre.

The 10-strong BCE was established to lead the way for regeneration and community work in Fernhill and Walmersley.

Ms Nicole Ivanoff, BCE secretary, said: "Recent support from Bury North MP David Chaytor has been a real boost to members' morale and confidence." During the past two years, the community group has held several meetings as well as carrying out a survey to determine the priorities of residents.

Now, BCE's two main enterprise projects in Fernhill are the setting up of the cafe and the healthy living centre.

Nicole added: "The aims of the cafe will be to provide a much-needed community place and healthy food for local people.

"It will offer training opportunities for everyone in the catering and catering-related businesses.

"Internet training and information technology training will also be available."

She went on: "In addition, the healthy living centre project will foster and financially support healthy living activities for all age groups.

Separate applications for the funding of these two major projects scored top marks last year.

They were approved by East Bury community groups represented on the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) 5 community capacity building and the improving health groups.

Residents are confident that when the successful applications are announced, either in April May, the go-ahead will be given for the £66,000 community cafe and the healthy living centre, costing £47,000.

A potential building acquired by Acorn Properties, at the corner of Hornby Street-Eldon Street, has been identified for the cafe and centre.

"However, a lot of hard work still remains to be done before this exciting community enterprise project becomes reality," Nicole stressed.

She paid tribute to the guidance and support BCE had received from Bury Council, Bolton and Bury Chamber and Bury College's community partnership.