DREAMS of transforming Bury's ancient markets in a £13.6 million scheme have been left in tatters.

Local authority leaders have had their bid for Lottery cash thrown out at the first hurdle. Bury needed £5.5 million from the Millenium Commission to kickstart the project, which would revitalise four areas of the town centre, all used as markets down the centuries.

But the Commission has rejected their plans after less than a month, saying the competition is too severe.

Council leader John Byrne was bitterly disappointed. "We felt that it was a significant scheme which would had a stunning impact on the town centre," he said.

"Our project deserved far greater consideration and should not have been dismissed in this manner.

"We wanted to build on the town's rich history as a trading centre and now our chances of doing that look to have disappeared."

Improvements would have taken place at the four sites, creating room for street festivals, fairs and community events.

These included excavating the remains of Bury's mediaeval castle at Castle Square, which was the site of Bury market from 1440 to 1839.

Kay Gardens, home of the Victorian Market until 1901, would have been revamped as would the Interchange, market site until 1968, and also part of the current market.

The Market Places scheme would have tied in with another £5 million to completely refurbish Bury's current market: news on Government funding for that will arrive by Christmas.

Coun Byrne said: "Our bid was on the theme of making spaces for people. However, when it comes to obtaining funding, it seems there is no space for Bury."

He added: "It is a blow but we are used to such knockbacks and we have to pick ourselves up and go forward."

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