LONDON, New York, Milan, Bury? Yes, Bury is the latest addition to the international fashion map!

London fashion week may have been grabbing the headlines, but Bury was as trendy as anywhere as our photographs show.

Models, organisers and even photographers got done up to the nines in a bid to be Number One in the fashion stakes.

The brains behind Bury Fashion Week - now in its second year - was Whitefield hairdresser, Paul Freely. Paul and his dedicated team organised a variety of events, putting Bury firmly under the fashion spotlight.

Makeover 2000, at Bury College transformed members of the public.

Paul and his team took over the beauty salon at the college and transformed the eager fashion fans with a full makeover.

The new look was also caught on camera by a professional photographer who was on hand to present the would-be models with a stunning portrait of their new image.

The New York-style breakfast bash - Breakfast at Tiffany's - transported people to the fashion capital of the world.

Exotic coffees and bagels were served at the Elizabethan Suite while guests enjoyed an aromatherapy display by award-winning celebrity aromatherapist, Diane Nivern. The event culminated in the highlight of the week - the Fashion Ball.

Organisers, models, photographers and celebrities were given civic approval by special guests, the Mayor and Mayoress of Bury, Councillor John Costello and his wife, Anne.

The exclusive fashion show, featuring designs by Paul Freely and dresses from the Ministry Designer House in Rochdale, wowed guests at the Elizabethan Suite bash.

And a grand live auction, featuring items donated by local businesses, followed the dinner and classical music presentation. Paul was delighted with the results.

"It was a fantastic event," he said. "Last year was so successful that it was a difficult act to follow but we pulled it off. We all had a ball. Not only did everyone have a great time but we were able to raise cash for some very worthy causes." All proceeds from the week's events will be donated to Bury Hospice and Bury Women's Refuge.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.