BAR PRESS: The Bury Times was barred from a meeting by the borough council's social services committee discussing spending cuts. Members voted 8-2 to bar the press and public, claiming that "great distress" could be caused to people affected by cuts if they read about them first in the Bury Times before being officially informed.

BOBBY DAZZLER: A 20-year-old Radcliffe policeman carried out a daring rescue during a fire in Fletcher Street. Constable Nigel Preston dragged Mr Colin Bentley (32) from his burning bed after making three attempts to get into the room in thick smoke. PC Preston managed to move the resident to safety with the help of a neighbour.

BREW: A nervous bride enjoyed a calming cup of tea when the vicar failed to get to the church on time. The Rev Barry Newth, the vicar of St Thomas and St John's Church, Radcliffe, was on his way to Ainsworth Parish Church to conduct the wedding when he accidentally locked his keys in the boot of his car. The bride and bridegroom and 100 guests waited patiently for one hour before the red-face Rev Newth arrived.

HOT DOG: An alsatian guard dog was rescued from a blazing shed as fire swept through wooden outbuildings nearly Buckley Wells railway crossing. "Simba" -- chained to one of the outbuildings -- was lying dangerously close to the fire when he was led clear by his owner's son-in-law Don Cotterill.

BIRD HELP: A group of children from Holcombe Brook got together to raise cash for a local animal charity in 1976. After reading of the financial and practical problems in running Greenmount Bird Hospital, seven-year-old Stephen Hodson, appropriately of Redwing Road, Holcombe Brook, and his sister, Rachel, (6), organised a sale at their home with the help of a friend, Nicola Mitchell (8). The children collected goods from neighbours and even donated some toys of their own. They also sold orange and other refreshments.