BURY is paving the way for its new "Czech mates" to enter the European Union.

The council is one of only 20 in Britain to lend its municipal expertise to help smooth the entry of the Czech Republic into the EU.

Two Czech local government officials have spent the week in Bury "shadowing" staff in several departments, and examining how local democracy works.

Councillor John Byrne, council leader, said: "In recent weeks the council has been involved in a string of EU initiatives.

"The Czechs, like their counterparts in Poland, are in the midst of great changes. They are having to look at whole new ways of working and hopefully some of the things that their representatives learn from us will make that process easier."

The Czech visit has come about via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which tries to assist EU applicant countries with developing their local and regional government.

A seminar will be held in the Czech Republic in the New Year when those who visited Britain can pass on their experiences.