FREAK weather storms lashed Bury yesterday, causing floods on busy roads and the first winter snowfall.

Motorists were delayed in the morning rush-hour as the wild weather swept across the borough.

Localised flooding on Walshaw Road, Bury, created further traffic problems, with some side roads virtually cut off.

But Ramsbottom bore the brunt of the gales, with flooding at Ramsbottom FC's Riverside ground as the Irwell swelled over onto the pitch.

A torrent of water gushed down Bridge Street in the morning, causing flood damage to some town centre properties.

Firemen pumped out the courtyard of a cottage on Manchester Road, Ramsbottom, after water poured down the surrounding hillsides and caused serious flood damage to a kitchen. The problem was exacerbated by autumn leaves blocking drains.

Firemen were also called to a house which became flooded on Ramsbottom Road, Hawkshaw.

The Environment Agency yesterday issued a flood warning for the Stubbins area, with problems expected if the rain continues.

The only light relief for some drivers was the official opening of the extension of the M60 from Heaton Park (junction 19) to Denton.

But even then the weather played its part as Transport Minister Keith Hill pulled out of the opening ceremony because he was stranded at storm-lashed Gatwick Airport. Denton and Reddish MP Andrew Bennett had to step in.

The freak blizzards also sparked local members of the Rossendale Search and Rescue Team into action when they were requested to provide snow cover for the Lancashire Ambulance Service yesterday morning.

In the space of just 90 minutes, the team were alerted to three incidents, including a worker in Haslingden who had suffered a fall from a HGV and a pensioner who suffered a heart attack in Rawtenstall, which proved to be fatal.

The team members had already spent five hours on Pendle Hill before the snow duty call and are expected to return to the Witching area tonight to provide safety cover for walkers making their annual Halloween trek up the hill.