A ROTARY club has offered to pay the £235 entry fee to allow Bury Council to enter the Britain in Bloom contest next year.

The gesture by the Rotary Club of Tottington and Bury West comes after it was announced that the council was pulling out of the competition unless it could get “additional” backing from businesses and the community.

Rotary president, Don Lockett, said: “We have been associated with the competition for some years, helping to keep tidy the garden in Silver Street, Bury, and supporting the bid in general.

“We are proposing we use a little of the money raised during our Christmas collections to pay the £235 entry fee.”

Praising the club for its support and ongoing hands-on help, a council spokesman said it was “really pleased” to receive the offer.

The spokesman said: “Taking part in Britain in Bloom helps improve our borough as a place to live and boosts the local economy through increased visitors and commercial enterprise.”

Businesses or social enterprises interested in sponsorship opportunities, along with anyone interested in providing hands-on support for Bury or Radcliffe in Bloom, can contact Julie Pitchforth on 0161 253 5266 or e-mail j.e.pitchforth@bury .gov.uk