SUITS YOU SIR!: For the third year running, Andrew Tryfon of Apollo Avenue, Sunny Bank, was among the top award winners at the British Federation of Merchant Tailors' annual show and competition in London. The 37-year-old beat the best that Saville Row could offer to gain the Gagniere Trophy for the best dinner suit and the Weathewan Trophy for the best overcoat.

POWER-LESS: Bury people reacted to black-out life and candlepower lighting this week as industrial action by electricity workers left the country in the dark. Electricity showrooms in the borough were swamped with calls about the scheduled power cuts and at the same time coped with a booming demand for torches, lamps and batteries. Most industries in Bury were geared to combat black-outs with the aid of stand-by generators while businesses such as hairdressers and Bury market stallholders were feeling the pinch.

TORY GLORY: The Conservatives retained the Unsworth Ward seat in a by-election but only after a recount. Neville Singer beat Labour's Gordon Hubert by just 72 votes.