A NEW branch of a community bank has opened in Leigh.

MP Andy Burnham performed the ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open Unify Credit Union on Bradshawgate alongside Unify chief executive Angela Fishwick, chair Elaine Chillag and member and councillor Jo Platt.

Angela said: "This is the first property that Unify has owned in Leigh after being here for 10 years.

"We are very proud that our members now have an asset investment as well as money in the bank.

"We are delighted to move into the new premises in a prominent position in the town centre to provide easy access and we hope to support many more people living in Leigh for years to come.”

Mr Burnham took the opportunity to pay into his Unify account while at the branch.

He said: “It is great that Unify supports more than 10,000 residents.

"The times that people have been facing means that Unify is needed more and more and I hope to see membership grow.

"I am a 100 per cent supporter of Unify and as a member I am very proud of how far the credit union has come.”

Unify Credit Union was established in 2002 by the formation of three small community credit unions and now claims to be the biggest in the borough.

A spokesman for community bank said it has 'given members financial lifelines totalling more than £6 million'.

For more information about the community bank call into the new branch on Bradshawgate, call 01942 603565 or visit unifycu.org.