IT'S green for go as Bury prepares to stage the biggest environmental event of its kind in the North West.

Dozens of events and activities have been organised for Bury Environment Week which runs from May 20 to 29.

The week culminates in a huge environment fair at Castle Leisure Centre in Bury which boasts more than 100 stalls and expects to welcome at least 3,000 visitors.

Mr Tim Jones, policy development officer for the environment, said: "The hardest decision will be deciding which event they are going to have to miss.

"The action-packed programme caters for all ages, levels of fitness and mobility. We have tried to come up with a wide variety which, while connected to environment issues, offers something for everyone."

The first day, Saturday, May 20, sees the council's Operation Springclean skips moving into Ramsbottom, while Tottington and District Civic Society launch a photographic exhibition entitled "Then and Now". The following day, Bury's first Local Nature Reserve will be officially opened by the mayor. Two local trade unionists, who have been walking from John O'Groats to Land's End partly to raise awareness of the environment, will be welcomed back to the borough. For night owls, there is a bat walk and talk to be held in the evening around Philips Park in Whitefield.

A series of Millennium walks will set off from Tottington on Monday, May 22. Also lined up for that day is a Walking for Health initiative at Age Concern's Jubilee Centre and a guided tour around Hollins Vale to look at another potential local nature reserve site.

The rest of the week boasts everything from woodland conservation to formal meetings, activities for schoolchildren and toddlers, environment on the web sessions and practical workshop activities. The big environment fair is on Saturday, May 27, which also ties in with Bury's first Cycle Show.

Councillor Wayne Campbell, environment chairman, said: "If you live in Bury and have never had any interest in environment-related issues before, then this is your chance.

"Whether you want to get involved in conservation tasks, talk about the future or just pick up a little advice and information, there is no shortage."

Coun Campbell added: "Last year our Environment Fair was by far the biggest and best in the North West and we are certain that will be the case for the first event of its kind in the new Millennium.

"Bury has moved a long way as far as environment issues are concerned but there is always more that we can do and May 20 to 29 is the perfect time to start."