A PIONEERING health scheme has celebrated its first birthday.

Health care professionals across the borough along with representatives from voluntary groups were on hand to celebrate Bury and Rochdale Health Action Zone's (HAZ) first anniversary.

HAZ status is awarded by the Government to areas of deprivation.

During the birthday celebration a series of presentations illustrated how the scheme has been instrumental in setting up a variety of health improvement schemes in the borough, particularly aimed at young people, the elderly and ethnic minorities.

The second round of HAZ community grants were also launched at the party, giving community and voluntary bodies a chance to bid for up to £1,000 to implement a scheme which will improve the health of the community.

Bury and Rochdale receives more than £3 million per year to spend on HAZ initiatives.

Kate Lucy, HAZ project manager, said: "The event was an opportunity to demonstrate some of the real benefits that have come from HAZ in the first of its seven years.