MOVES to set up formal friendship links with the Chinese city of Datong have been put on hold.

Councillors want more information about the benefits to Bury before committing the town to what might be an expensive exercise.

A three-strong team from Bury recently visited Datong in the hope of building economic, cultural and educational links.

An official agreement would cement a relationship with the Chinese which goes back 13 years, when a delegation from the Far East visited the town.

But some members, while welcoming the idea in principle, voiced concerns at the council meeting.

Tory councillor Roy Walker said Labour didn't mix with South Africa because of apartheid, and wondered whether they would have a problem with China's record on human rights.

He added: "Nobody asked the twinning association to be present. As a courtesy, we should defer. Also, we always said we never had the money to twin with some other towns. But think of the cost here: how many ordinary people could go there?"

Coun Wilf Davison, Lib Dem leader, said: "I welcome the idea of linking with a city in China. It strikes us, though, that this city is immensely bigger than we are. What will we gain from this?"

He added: "It would not be cheap to forge friendship links. We have to take a hard-headed decision and look at the commercial benefits."

Council leader John Byrne said the visiting party had spoken to Bury Chamber and Bury College before going, and it was never intended to insult anyone.

He described the trip as "a very worthwhile event", but agreed to defer a decision and hold a presentation for all members so they could see what was involved.