A MOTHER and baby hostel is to be built in Bury.

Manchester Methodist Housing Group has been awarded a total of £822,000 from the Housing Corporation and Bury Council to fund the scheme.

Now the group is looking for a suitable location within the borough to build the planned hostel which will feature 12 flats and community facilities.

The complex will house staff to help the vulnerable mothers with such aspects of independent living as budgeting, childcare and nutrition.

Matthew Harrison, director of development of Manchester Methodist Housing Group, said: "We have been working closely with the local authority and we know these facilities are greatly needed as there is currently nothing similar in Bury.

"We are in the process of identifying a suitable site but the hope is that the scheme will be up and running in the next 18 months to two years."