OUR campaign to Save the Shakers has hit the nation's capital!

Local Labour MP David Chaytor - a lifelong Shakers fan - has enlisted the support of some London-based friend from his Bury Grammar School days and they are planning to launch a London branch of the Bury FC Supporters Club.

The "team" so far consists of the Bury North MP and his friends Bob McKee, Chief Executive of the Library Association and Paul Dimondsberg, who works for one of London's top PR companies.

They plan to hold an initial meeting in the House of Commons in a fortnight and have already have some ideas for fundraising events and they will be looking to identify some other Shakers fans who live in the capital.

"I am eager to hear from other Bury people who now live or work in London and want to join our Supporters Club," said Mr Chaytor.

"We have the backing of Bury FC chairman Terry Robinson and Joyce Rothwell, secretary of Bury FC Supporters Association, and, despite his divided loyalties as a lifelong Manchester City fan, my Bury South colleague Ivan Lewis has pledged his full support.

"Following Gordon Brown's contribution to the campaign when he was in Bury last week, I am also doing my best to get other Ministers to hand over their fivers - or more! - to help Save The Shakers.

"My big hope is to get the Prime Minister on board - but so far he's managed to avoid me!"