STAFF at Bolton and Bury Chamber's Business Link got together for a third birthday party.

The business support agency has helped more than 3,000 local enterprises since it started in July, 1996.

A spokesperson said that during the past three years it had generated £3.5 million cash investment for local firms as a direct result of its advice and assistance.

It had also helped many more make dramatic performance improvements to boost their bottom line.

Business Link had also helped local firms gain a further £670,000 in new business contracts through the Regional Supplier Network and Tenders Electronic Daily systems.

And 700 business start-ups had been nurtured through the Headstart programme.

Director Mark Allanson said: "It's been a great pleasure to work with the Bolton and Bury business community over the past three years.

"There's tremendous vision, energy and talent out there and an open attitude to change.

"As a result, we've been able to forge effective partnerships with local companies, get beneath their skin and make a real contribution to achieving their aims and business targets."

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