BETTER sporting facilities for the borough have come one step nearer.

Town hall bosses are appointing specialist consultants to help draw up a new sports and recreation strategy.

The resulting five-year action plan aims to create and tailor sports to people's changing lifestyles.

The experts are to carry out a full survey of sporting provision in the borough. Residents, clubs and commercial bodies will be asked for their views on what facilities they would like and what times of the day they would use them.

Such a strategy could also bring in outside cash, perhaps from the National Lottery, to provide new services.

A draft strategy was first drawn up in 1996 and put out for consultation, but was delayed partly through a complete reorganisation of the council.

It also became clear that some areas needed further research with the help of consultants.

The cost of the project is £23,000, with Bury providing £8,000 and the English Sports Council the rest.

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