"WE'RE up and running - but it's up to you to make it a success."

That was Government minister Hilary Armstrong's message to East ward residents as she officially launched the area's ambitious regeneration project.

Ms Armstrong, minister for local government and housing, gave her seal of approval to the scheme when she dropped into the Geoffrey Kershaw Centre on Wednesday.

Her visit, on which she was joined by local politicians and Bury MPs David Chaytor and Ivan Lewis, came just days after the formation of a steering group - mainly comprising local residents - to tackle a range of problems in the area.

Ms Armstrong made it clear that the MPs were constantly pressing Bury's case, joking that East ward councillor and deputy council leader John Byrne "could almost be arrested for stalking me!"

She said it was important that the Government and council listened to people's views in helping to restore pride to the area.

"I am delighted to be here at the beginning," the minister added. "The Prime Minister said we want everyone in this country, not just those with money able to look after themselves, to play their part in society. "That means we have to got to act together to make sure that families have opportunities, that they can be the confident citizens of the future, to get work and sustain their local communities.

"It won't happen unless you are fully involved and the council is working with you. Good luck and keep at it - I look forward to seeing the outcome."

Her visit was appreciated by residents including Mrs Kath Bond, who lives in Willow Street and is a member of the steering group.

"She seemed genuinely interested," she said. "It's not often you get all the ward councillors down here together, never mind a minister!"

Mrs Bond added: "It's time that the people had a say rather than the council saying they are doing this or that. Not everybody will agree with everything, but we have to compromise and get involved in our own community. You've got to be optimistic or it's a waste of time."

The minister was welcomed by East ward councillor Trevor Holt, chairman of the project's steering group.

"It's an important day for us," he said. "We have our problems here - roads and traffic, and the housing is showing its age. We're grateful to you coming on this occasion and hope you will find time to come back in a year or two."

The build-up to the project was outlined by Mr Sandy Paterson, director of personal and community services.

He said the plan was to work in partnership to tackle everything from education and employment to housing and opportunities for young people.

The project is being funded mainly by the Government's capital receipts initiative, which allows local authorities to spend the money they have received from the sale of council houses. Nevertheless, and to general amusement, the director lost no chance to ask the minister for more money!

Council leader Derek Boden said: "The fact that the minister has come here shows that this is exactly the sort of thing the Government is looking to see the council do, to work in partnership with local people.

"We have a major opportunity to deal with several problems at once and improve people's lives."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.