ADULT learners hope that pen power can save the borough's prized Community Education Service.

They took a petition containing 6,685 signatures to Bury Town Hall complaining that proposed huge budget cuts will cause irreparable damage to the service.

The CES faces cuts of nearly £600,000, or 45 per cent, in the money it receives from the local authority.

Campaigners worry that centres will be closed and thousands of local people will miss vital education with the borough's social and cultural life also hit.

Meanwhile, a special working party to save as much of the CES as possible has nearly completed its work.

Set up by education chairman David Ryder, the group comprises three councillors, one from each party, and three members of the Community Education Council.

Coun Ryder, in a letter to cuts protesters, says the group is making good progress in deciding how to maintain existing courses, groups and youth work projects.

The good news, says Coun Ryder, is that Bury will be able to bid for almost all available cash from the Further Education Funding Council. This means that virtually all vocational courses will be safe.

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