ROPE RESCUE: Two youngsters became trapped 50ft up a quarry face at Castle Hill Road, Birtle. Seven year old Karl Sieben of Chestnut Avenue, Bury, and a girl who tried to help him, were eventually lowered to safety by firefighters using rescue lines.

HOME SWEET HOME: With more than 100 people on the waiting list Bury Council agreed to build a new £350,000 old folk's home.

SOREFOOT: Six-year-old Amanda Proudfoot's attempt at a spot of gardening proved to be rather painful when she pushed a garden fork straight through her wellington boots and through her foot. She was rushed from her Market Street home in Bury to hospital for treatment and a tetanus jab.

COUNCILLOR'S CASH: The list of Bury borough councillors' attendance allowances cost rate payers £2,331. Councillor Derek Boden turned up to 21 meetings in little over three months and went home with a net payment of £11.35 for his efforts.