BURY council spent £2.7m over its budget last year.

The biggest overspend was in the children, young people and culture department which was £5m in deficit.

This was caused by demand pressures and delayed savings targets, according to the statement of accounts for the last financial year.

Cabinet member for finance and housing Eamonn O'Brien acknowledged that there will continue to be increasing demands in the years to come.

He said: "As with most organisations the council hasn't been immune to the effects of the fragile state of the economy which has continued to result in reduced income, reductions in investment returns and increased energy costs."

The leading Labour councillor also mentioned that the difference between that the council spend and what it planned to spend is less than one per cent of the total budget.

Bury Council's annual gross expenditure is almost half a billion pounds.

The statement of accounts was due to be discussed councillors at the audit committee tonight but the public meeting has been moved to July 30.