Bury is one of only three towns to be shortlisted by the Academy of Urbanism for its prestigious Great Town Award for 2015.

Bury is battling against Beverley in East Yorkshire and Aberystwyth for the award, which recognises how places have improved their economic, social and physical environment. The winner will be announced in November.

Assessors from the academy have just visited Bury and will now be drawing up their report, which will be presented to its 500 leading academicians who will vote for their winning town.

Officers from Bury Council escorted the assessors on a tour of the town, highlighting how Bury has developed and improved over recent years and how this has been the result of innovative forward planning and partnership working.

The tour included visits to some of the town’s main visitor attractions such as Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre, the Fusilier Museum, the East Lancashire Railway and Bury Transport Museum, the Met and Bury Market. The assessors also saw recent developments at Townside, the Mill Gate centre and The Rock, and some of the town’s future development opportunities.

During the tour, the assessors also met a number of people that play a key role in the success of the town and heard how Bury’s success is not just down to recent developments but also the team of people behind them and the hard work they put to make sure everyone that comes to Bury is made to feel welcome.

Councillor Mike Connolly, leader of Bury Council, said: “We are extremely proud that Bury has been shortlisted for this award.

“Despite the recent economic downturn, Bury has enjoyed significant investment and development which has dramatically transformed the town into a major attraction for residents and visitors alike and a significant reason for borough’s wider economic strength.

“The growth of the town has not happened by chance: it is the result of good planning and co-operation between the public and private sector, the local community and partners.

“The result is a town centre that is unique, vibrant and distinctive and that offers a wide range of attractions and facilities in a pleasant, compact and accessible area.

“We do not intend to stand still, but will continue to work as hard as we have done to ensure that Bury continues to improve and evolve.”