PLANS for a re-vamped Chamber of Commerce have taken a step forward.

The Bolton and Bury, Rochdale and Oldham chambers are set to merge into one organisation -- the North Manchester Chamber of Commerce -- with about 2,600 member companies.

June 1 is the target date after merger plans were supported unanimously by members of the transitional board which has been established to see the scheme through.

Extraordinary general meetings for members are expected to be held in about four weeks' time.

Bolton and Bury board member Paul Norris, who runs Bolton-based business consultancy PNC, said today that the new Chamber will work closely with Business Link under the system now suggested.

"The two companies will have a combined group board and chief executive," he said. The new Chamber will have its own board and there will also be local offices and advisory boards in Bolton, Bury, Oldham and Rochdale.

Mr Norris said details such as staffing levels and the headquarters for the new Chamber had still to be decided.

"All this is about benefiting members and providing access to good quality services," Mr Norris said.

Original proposals would have included the government-backed Business Link North Manchester in the new organisation.

But it was decided that this option would not be appropriate in view of the structure of the organisations involved.