A COUNTRYSIDE service which looks after green spaces throughout the region will continue despite fears of a cut in funding by Bury Council.

The Croal Irwell Countryside Service - which covers Bury, Bolton and Salford - was said to be under threat when Bury announced plans to withdraw financial backing for 1998/99.

Now the local authority has confirmed that it will pay its share of the annual cost, but on condition that the service is subject to a thorough review.

Councillors in Bury want a detailed appraisal of the organisation's overall performance.

Council leader Cllr Derek Boden said: "Over the years we have maintained our contribution to the Croal Irwell Countryside Service, but there has been increasing disquiet locally about just how much we benefit from it.

"The service was established and is run for all the right reasons, but it has been some years since a review of the day to day operations has been carried out.

"We think it would be of benefit not just to the service, but to all three councils who support it financially."

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