A SOCIAL mecca in Bury has reached an important milestone.

The Mosses Centre, which has become a focal point for the community, has celebrated its 30th birthday.

And last Saturday's anniversary event also marked the fact it was five years ago that the running of the popular Cecil Street centre was taken over by the Mosses Association, a registered charity.

Bury North MP David Chaytor and the Mayor of Bury, Councillor Barry Briggs, were among the 70 guests who attended a celebration luncheon and annual general meeting. The mayor also cut the celebration cake.

Dignitaries were later given a presentation which chronicled the history of the Mosses Centre and pointed the way to its future.

The busy association has around 900 members and provides numerous social gatherings and classes at the centre.

Mrs Jill Logan, association administration and finance officer, said: "The celebration combined the fact that the Mosses is 30 years old and that the association took over the running of the centre from the local authority five years ago."

She and association director Peter Firth work full-time at the Mosses. To coincide with the celebration day, various displays were put up in the hall.

The Mosses welcomes around 1,000 visitors each year and is a vital part of the community.

Mrs Logan added: "During the past five years, we've really tried to build the place up and the numbers using the centre has increased. We had a really successful day."