THE future's bright for the borough of Bury -- and council chiefs have proudly put their shining examples of achievement into print.

A full-colour booklet called Into the New Century gives a snapshot of the positive side of planning and developments that have taken place to provide a firm foundation for the rest of the 21st century.

Schemes highlighted range from Bury Market's potentially award-winning new Fish and Meat Hall to the highly acclaimed East Lancashire Railway, Burrs Country Park, and Outwood Trail and Viaduct.

The booklet underlines how existing resources have been recycled, such as Brooksbottoms Mill at Ramsbottom, heritage has been protected as at Peel Monument on Holcombe Moor and the natural environment conserved with schemes such as those at Chesham Woods in Bury. Forests for the community, green-ways and cycle routes are also highlighted as are specific schemes such as Prestwich Forest Park and Blackshaw Brook Valley.

The booklet can be found in public libraries and in its foreword Bury's environment chairman Coun Wayne Campbell said the borough had benefited greatly from its emphasis on partnership working and devising funding packages over recent years.

He added: "The success of such ventures can be judged on the ground but also by looking at the catalogue of awards the council has achieved over the last ten years for such projects. The increasing concern of the local community for the environment must be the primary motivation for this sort of activity. There can be little doubt that public concern for their environment will only gain in its significance as we move into the new century."

Adding his comments, Bury's director of development and environmental services, Mr Ian Cheetham, said: "Planning is all about getting clear what we want our towns and countryside to be like and then controlling development and carrying out projects to make it happen. With the Unitary Development Plan and other policies setting the scene we have had success in bringing disused land back to life, regenerating some old and much-loved landmarks and opening up the local countryside to all and protecting its valuable wildlife."