ANOTHER element of the Government shake-up -- the national Small Business Service -- will also operate from next April.

A Small Business Service company is being established in North Manchester across the boroughs of Wigan, Bolton, Bury, Rochdale and Oldham.

It will take on responsibilities currently delivered by Business Link in those towns and support the development and growth of small to medium enterprises.

Mr Peter Morton, previously of Wigan Enterprise, has been appointed Chief Executive. Cllr Frank White of Bolton and Cllr Derek Bowden of Bury are the two local authority representatives on the board and Bolton businessman Alex Kitchen, from Velden Engineering, is one of the chamber members.

Bolton & Bury Chamber, currently based in Clive Street, Bolton, will remain as a slimmed-down organisation concentrating on three activities -- lobbying, representing and networking.

About 140 current staff are hoping to find jobs in either the SBS, the LCS or the Chamber, but staffing levels have not yet been fixed.