A ST George's Day parade in Whitefield was cut short due to lack of police presence.

Scouts from Prestwich and Whitefield District took part in their traditional procession on Sunday (April 25) followed by a service at All Saints Church, Stand.

However, a mix-up meant the police were not available to control the traffic while the Scouts walked and as a result they kept the procession to a minimum.

Motorists waited patiently at the traffic lights at the junction of Bury New Road while Scouts filed their way across.

Inspector David Jones, head of Prestwich and Whitefield Township, said: "Something appears to have gone wrong with the arrangements and we are looking into it with the organisers."

District Commissioner Peter North said this was the first time in 20 years the parade had not had the co-operation from the police.

He said: "There was a little bit of a problem and the police cover we expected did not materialise. They have always been supportive in the past and this was simply a slip-up. We just shortened our parade and arrived at the church early."