CASH-strapped Bury Council has turned down residents' offer to give it more money.

Homeowners in Salthouse Close, Bury, had offered to share equally among themselves the difference in cost to provide paved vehicle crossings outside their homes rather than the cheaper tarmacadam surfacing.

However, accepting a £1,200 donation would contravene "set-in-stone" council policy to use tarmac to replace damaged paving stone vehicle crossings outside the borough's homes.

Mr Mike Cannon, borough engineer, said: "We are not in a position to accept monies for aesthetic changes to highway maintenance schemes from private individuals.

"To do so would set a precedent to change other schemes and would disadvantage low-income residents."

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