BURY Council chiefs are celebrating after winning a share of £1.5 million in European funding to pioneer a new approach to work.

They are to work together with their colleagues at Salford Council on a pioneering new approach helping disadvantaged people -- ranging from lone parents, ethnic minorities and people with physical disabilities or learning difficulties -- to secure and keep jobs.

They will also work with employers to encourage them to consider new ways of recruiting and supporting staff.

The two Councils successfully bid for the funding after their own research highlighted the limitations of current "supported employment" programmes, which focus largely on training and preparation rather than helping people get into real jobs and stay in them.

As a result, many people who would like to work are put off - or have to give up their job because of lack of support - while employers could be missing out on talent by recruiting from a small segment of the potential workforce.

The project aims to create a model service that other Councils can learn from and follow when setting up their Welfare to Work strategies.