FAMILIES at Bury's Re:d Centre are delighted that the centre's future is secure for at least another year.

The Morley Street base, which looks after disabled children and their relatives, has escaped huge budget cuts after months of fierce campaigning.

Both sides agree that there is still a lot to do, but hope it can be done in harmony. This is in complete contrast with last year, when protesters lobbied Downing Street and won a judicial review in the courts.

Councillors have approved a plan which will give the centre the same £445,000 budget it enjoyed last year. A project group has been set up to see what extra services the centre can offer, and re-negotiate its contract and those of other agencies in the longer term.

Mrs Geraldine Greene, chairman of Hurdles, which runs the centre along with children's charity NCH, said: "Families appreciate the difficult financial time the council is in, and that the council leadership has made the needs of vulnerable youngsters a financial priority. Children are not just figures on a balance sheet."

The project team is looking at the best way to provide short breaks, social and leisure opportunities for disabled children and their families. It has to decide how to use limited amounts of money and where services will be located.

Ms Eleni Ioannides, executive director of children's services, said: "There's still a lot to do, and we still have to manage budgetary problems. What's nice is that we are doing it together in partnership."