ALTHOUGH investment in Bury and Rochdale Health Authority is in line with the national average, the distribution of funds within the health authority has left Bury NHS Trust historically at a disadvantage.

However, I welcome the progress that has been made and appreciate the consistent support given to the Trust's efforts by the borough's two MPs.

I understand that the Trust will now seek an agreement with the health authority in formulating an agreed programme of investment over the next four or five years, made possible by the funding allocations for the NHS announced in the Chancellor's 2000 Budget, designed to bring UK spending on health up to the level of the European average.

MRS F. LYONS,

Mostyn Avenue,

Bury.