BURY Council's chief executive is leading the way: his department is the first to achieve Investor in People status.

The department encompasses personnel, revenues and benefits, information and communications technology and democratic services.

Mr Mark Sanders, the chief executive, said: "The assessment in September was meant to be an initial measure of our progress to date. The fact that we have achieved Investors in People at this early stage illustrates how well our people have embraced this quality mark and how committed we are to making improvements."

All other council departments will be assessed next month. Councillor Tony Isherwood, executive member for performance management, said: "The council is committed to developing workforce skills in order to serve the borough of Bury."