BUS SKIDS : Three passengers escaped with minor injuries when a double-decker bus careered off the road, narrowly missing a queue of people. The bus, number 472, had just left Ainsworth eight minutes previous to the accident bound for Alfred Street in Bury. The vehicle skidded across Cockey Moor Road, missing the queue, ploughed through a hedge and came to a rest with its two front wheels in a field.

SWEET FA: Bury crashed out of the FA Cup when they were beaten 1-0 by Leicester City. More than 3,000 Shakers supporters travelled to Filbert Street to watch the game.

SOCCER HISTORY: Match sponsorship arrived at Gigg Lane for the first time in the club's history. Negotiations were finalised for Bury's game against Preston to be sponsored by the local branch of Skipton Building Society.

FLYING FIVERS: It rained fivers in Tottington. Hairdresser Hazel Ratcliffe had just returned from the bank with a sealed envelope of cash when a fierce wind whipped it from her grasp, ripped it open and scattered the notes. Altogether £50 whirled away but every note was returned to Hazel by locals who were out and about in the village.