THOUSANDS of visitors from across the country could find it easier to come to Bury's famous market and its other attractions.

That's the hope of town hall bosses who are encouraging coaches to park up in the town centre in special bays.

A stretch of Market Street near Bury Athletics Track is being reserved for five coaches which can drop off passengers and stay there for six hours a day.

The pre-booked places, which will start at the end of the month, means cars will not be allowed to park on an 87-metre stretch on the eastern side of the road, to the north of the Wellington Road junction.

Mr John Ayres, the new manager of Bury Market, said the parking site should encourage even more people to visit the market and the town. "Organised trips have taken place but there have been difficulties when it comes to coach operators finding somewhere suitable to park up while their passengers take a look around the town," he said.

"That is set to change. With all the attractions that Bury has to offer, from its market to the Mill Gate shopping centre, East Lancashire Railway, even the world famous Wrigley collection of Victorian paintings, I am sure that coach operators will not be slow to take advantage of this situation and give their customers the

opportunity to come to Bury."

Coun Steve Perkins, traffic and engineering spokesman, said that stops near the Met and the Art Gallery were fine for dropping people off, but coaches needed somewhere to park during the day.

"We also wanted a location which was reasonably secure and convenient for the drivers," he added. "We believe that the new facility on Market Street fulfils all those aims. Although some car parking space has been lost there are ample alternative locations in the area so we do not foresee that being a big problem."

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