BURY'S MPs are keeping up their top-level campaign for a fair funding deal.

Although schools are safe from further cuts next year, the council still has to find another £5-6 million of savings.

David Chaytor and Ivan Lewis have now met with Alistair Darling MP, chief secretary to the Treasury.

The pow-wow followed a letter from the two MPs to all Cabinet ministers describing Bury's unique financial difficulties.

Bury South MP Ivan Lewis said: "We pressed Mr Darling on the need for some short-term assistance this year and highlighted our case for a fair long-term deal following the root and branch review of local government finance.

"We explained that despite our appreciation of the extra money for schools next year, the previous Government's unfairness towards Bury means other services continue to face serious cuts."

His Bury North colleague Mr Chaytor said they were determined to keep Bury's campaign at the highest levels of government.

"Mr Darling listened to our concerns sympathetically and re-iterated the Government's commitment to a fair system of distributing local government finance," said Mr Chaytor.

"We expect a further meeting with local government minister Hilary Armstrong early in the New Year.

"There is no doubt that senior ministers are aware of Bury's specific and unique difficulties."

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