THE daughter of Bury's deputy mayor, Councillor Wilf Davison, is recovering in hospital nearly a week after fracturing a bone in her neck in a road accident in Whitefield.

Miss Fiona Davison (33), was one of ten people, including her sister Louise Harrison and her two children, Alex and Rosie, who had to be freed from the wreckage of a two car collision on Saturday afternoon.

The majority of the casualties were treated in hospital for minor injuries, including cuts and whiplash, although two other women, aged 21 and 18, remain in hospital along with Fiona after suffering broken bones in their backs.

Bury New Road, between its junction with Radcliffe New Road and Church Street, Whitefield, was closed for several hours on Saturday afternoon as fire crews released the occupants of both cars and a fleet of six ambulances ferried them to hospital.

The accident happened at 1.20pm outside the Bulls Head. Police said the Corsa, driven by a 21-year-old man from Bury, crossed the centre line into the path of Mrs Harrison's Ford Escort which was travelling into the opposite direction.

Miss Davison from Prestwich, and Alex (11), three-year-old Rosie and a male aged 33 were passengers in the Escort and were taken to North Manchester General Hospital.

The passengers in the Corsa have not been named by police but they included a 21-year-old woman from Shaw, a seven-year-old boy from Northwich, a 16-year-old girl from Bury and an 18-year-old girl from Bury, who were all taken to Fairfield General Hospital.

Speaking on behalf of the Davison family, fellow Holyrood Ward councillor Vic D'Albert said: "This has been a very upsetting and worrying week for Wilf and his family. Fiona is still being treated for a severe neck injury and is unlikely to be allowed to return home until later next week. Louise, Alex and Rosie are recovering at home from their injuries.

"This was a particularly nasty accident, but everyone is pleased that no lives were lost."