BURY'S chief education officer has issued an end-of-term message of gratitude.

Mr Harold Williams, writing in the council's Education Bulletin, thanked everyone in schools, community and youth centres across the borough who have helped learners.

He also thanked those teachers retiring from the education service or moving on to posts elsewhere and offered a warm welcome to the 50 new teachers who will enter the profession for the first time in September.

Mr Williams said: "Resource levels have remained poor but I continue to be optimistic that the financial situation will improve."

He said it was the pressure exerted by professional associations, councillors, council officers and Bury's two MPs that would eventually lead to a fair deal for Bury.

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