A HEALTHY future is just around the corner thanks to an £86m boost for Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Primary Care Trust.

The Trust will receive an extra £26 milliom next year raising its current baseline to £291.5 million in 2003/4 rising to £348.9 million in 2005/6.

The boost has been welcomed by Government health champion and Leigh MP Andy Burnham who has been pressing for a fair formula which recognised the health and social needs of people within his constituency.

He raised the matter with Prime Minister Tony Blair and has discussed the matter with Health Ministers.

And Mr Burnham's hard work was praised in the House of Commons by Health Secretary Alan Milburn who said: "I place on record my thanks to my honourable friend who perhaps above all others from his area has argued assiduously for a change in the formula and made an extremely reasoned case."

Primary Care Trust finance and perfromance management director David Wharfe said: "We are pleased to receive the additional funds which will allow us to continue modernising local health services and target areas of greatest need.

"We need to carefully prioritise where the additional money is deployed."

Commons Health Select Committee member Mr Burnham said: "I have worked hard on this issue because it was always going to be a crucial decision for Leigh. We have a higher level of ill health here than in other parts of the country and need extra health resources to tackle it.

"This is the news we were waiting for. Not only will Leigh's NHS get more money in the short-term, the new formula should bring financial benefits for years to come. I am delighted that the Government has listened to our concerns."