CABINET member Paul Boateng cooked up a storm when he inspected Bury's brand new adult education centre.

Mr Boateng, chief secretary to the Treasury, toured the £630,000 centre which has been built in the former Halifax offices in The Haymarket. The centre, which opened last month, has been jointly funded by Bury Council and the Learning and Skills Council.

Students have transferred from Bury Arts and Crafts Centre, which is destined to become a museum for the Lancashire Fusiliers.

Courses range from information technology to languages, basic skills to citizenship, and arts to gardening.

Councillor Maggie Gibb, executive member for lifelong learning, said: "The new centre is a flagship building for the council's adult education service with superb facilities for a wide range of learners."