BURY has been named Greater Manchester’s inaugural Town of Culture.

The accolade will see £120,000 of investment to foster creativity in the town and across the borough, and encourage people to create or take part in their own unique cultural events.

To bestow the honour on the borough, today, comedy writer and performer Griff Rhys Jones joined the GM Mayor Andy Burnham and Councillor David Jones, leader of Bury Council, at a prestigious ceremony at the Fusilier Museum in Moss Street.

Cllr Jones described the title as a “fitting recognition” of Bury’s cultural pedigree, adding: “We are delighted and honoured to be chosen as the inaugural Greater Manchester Town of Culture.”

“We are hugely looking forward to the coming year and using our new Town of Culture status to promote and foster the many talents that we have and will come,” he said.

On its way to securing the title Bury beat off competition from numerous other town’s across the 10 Greater Manchester borough’s thanks to its artistic standing.

It is hoped the cash boost provided by the accolade will encourage people to devise their own events such as festivals, concerts and exhibitions reflecting Bury’s heritage and ingenuity.

Mr Burnham said: “We had a strong field of candidates and the people of Bury should be proud that their town has succeeded.

"We are sure that Bury will make a great success of it’s time in the spotlight and establish an award that that will help others across Greater Manchester long into the future.”