EURO money injected into the Red Rose Forest should be a big boost for Bury in preserving its woodlands ad developing others. This was the verdict of Manchester West MEP Gary Titley after he had visited Sunny Bank Wood, which will be one of the sites to benefit.

As part of an overall £2.2 million scheme to dramatically increase the number of trees in the Forest, and introduce effective management, the European Regional Development Fund has made a grant of £860,000.

Mr Titley also visited the site of Outwood Colliery at Whitefield, which could be another possibility for grant aid.

"I am delighted," he said, "that already one site in Bury has won approval, and I hope others too will qualify for support.

"Bury Council is a strong supporter of the Red Rose Forest and has a good environmental record, particularly given present financial constraints."

Saying that the Red Rose Forest Partnership with important backing from the Countryside Commission can have a big impact on the lives of future generations Mr Titley pledged his support for the Forest's future development.

It is one of a dozen community forests throughout the country and is promoted jointly by the Countryside Commission and the Forestry Authority.

Red Rose covers the boroughs of Bury, Bolton, Trafford and Wigan, and the cities of Manchester and Salford.

ZSEEN near the Outwood Colliery site in Radcliffe are (from left) Councillor Warren Flood, Countryside Commission senior officer Jim McQueen, Gary Titley, Bury senior planning officer Chris Wilkinson, and Red Rose Forest director Tony Hothersall.

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