BURY is to play a major role in the on-going fight to improve the lives of the country's poor.

Local councillor Sylvia Mason, who has led the anti-poverty campaign in the borough, has now been thrust onto the national scene.

She will be able to use her experience to help draw up UK-wide policies against poverty.

Coun Mason, who represents Unsworth ward, has served as Bury's delegate to the North West and North Wales Anti-Poverty Forum since being elected in 1995.

Her colleagues have now chosen her to become vice-chairman of that organisation. As a result, she automatically joins the executive committee of the National Local Government Forum Against Poverty.

Coun Mason said she was honoured to have been elected, and said that hundreds of people had benefited, both financially and personally, by the campaign's work.

"While Bury may not have the same extent of poverty as an inner city area, there are acute difficulties suffered by a significant number of people," said Coun Mason.

"We have attempted to tackle them at local level but if we are ever to win the fight against poverty then changes have to made at regional and national levels."

She added: "Hopefully, with my recent appointments, I can ensure that that happens and that Bury's voice is heard where it counts."

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