BURY'S busy Early Years team has eased its growing pains by transferring into new premises.

And the borough's Mayor and Mayoress, councillors John and Stella Smith, cut a special celebratory cake to mark the move by the Early Years Childcare and Development Partnership to its new base at Hilton House, Irwell Street, Bury.

Musical groups and a buffet were among some of the attractions staged during the launch day, attended by a number of guests and local youngsters.

Commenting on the expansion of the service, Early Years' lead officer Mrs Sue Reynolds said: "This has been an area of tremendous growth supported by Government funding, with challenging targets and initiatives. The success of the work is reliant on Partnership work and the launch is a reminder of this."

Early Years, which has a 18-strong team, fits in with the Government's National Childcare Stragegy to promote affordable, accessible quality childcare. The unit is funded by the Government although it also receives some finance from Bury Council.

The Early Years team comprises a children's information service and staff who are responsible for developing and supporting early years and childcare provision.

Mrs Reynolds added: "This is very much about promoting early education and childcare provision and we work across all sectors."