FEEDING FRENZY: Pupils at some schools in the borough would have to go without school dinners because of sanctions being imposed by teachers in support of a fight for more pay. Some places were even preparing to send youngsters off the premises during the dinner break as tutors withdrew their voluntary supervision.

JUDGE DREAD-FUL: Circuit judge Robin David called for shorter prison sentences for petty offenders and stiffer penalties for dangerous criminals, when he addressed more than 200 people at Bury magistrates. He said the country's prisons were beyond breaking point with the crime rate doubling every decade and more than 40,000 offenders behind bars.

NF CONTEST: The local branch of the National Front announced its intention to contest at least one ward in the borough elections in May.