STAFF and members at Bury's Asian Women's Centre were celebrating after receiving a much-needed £190,142 cash boost from the National Lotteries Charities Board.

The mayor and mayoress, Councillor John Costello, and wife, Anne, joined in the celebrations last week at the South Cross Street centre which provides support and advice for Asian women.

Mrs Sheereen Butt, senior development officer, explained: "The centre offers help and support to more than 300 women on anything from form filling to organising English-speaking classes."

Mrs Butt says the successful bid to be spread out over three years will make a huge difference to the centre.

"With our growing membership we are in need of funds. We will be spending the money on general improvements and new equipment focusing particularly on health care issues for women," said Mrs Butt.

"We will also be employing an outreach worker to help promote health care issues and support women who are housebound."

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