FOOTBALL mad MP Ivan Lewis is "labour-ing" after breaking his leg in a family kickabout.

But he has promised to tackle his duties despite the injury which came while he was playing football with his children in Uppermill near Saddleworth on Sunday, July 18.

"I must have caught a divot and twisted my left leg," said the fleet-footed MP for Bury South.

He went to North Manchester Hospital with a suspected fracture and was put in plaster nearly up to the knee.

"I received excellent treatment, as you might expect in an NHS hospital!" said the Labour MP. Mr Lewis is now hobbling about on crutches, but the accident didn't stop him visiting Eddisbury in Cheshire this week where he helped to campaign for Labour's candidate in the by-election.

And it didn't stop the MP making it to Parliament the following evening to host the second meeting of the Westminster branch of the Manchester City Supporters Club.

"There are now about 120 of us," he said. "It was an excellent night and the guest speaker was Radio 5 presenter Susan Bookbinder."

Mr Lewis said City were now heading in the right direction and forecast a Premiership place sooner or later.

Might his injury be a poor harbinger for their prospects? "It might be a good omen!" said the ever optimistic MP.

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