BURY'S town centre crackdown on crime could help it become one of the country's first "super councils".

Borough leaders are officially asking the Government to award the council Beacon status.

If Bury succeeds in this new incentive, it will be among the few to show the nation how best to run services.

Ultimately the council could be given extra powers to raise taxes and try out new projects.

Councils can bid for beacon status under several headings. Bury has gone for community safety - preventing crime and disorder in town centre shops.

Council leader Derek Boden told Wednesday's strategy committee that the extra powers which come with beacon status would be very welcome.

"This would give us significant room to maneouvre, something we have grievously suffered from in recent years," he said.

"We should not be under any illusions. We will face severe competition, but we should have confidence that we do have a good chance of achieving it."

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