CAR WASH: A twelve month fight by residents in Wash Lane, Bury, to reduce the "nightmare" problems caused by heavy lorries using the road suffered a set back when Greater Manchester Council refused a local council request for temporary weight restrictions order. GMC claimed the volume of traffic using Wash Lane would decrease substantially when the M66 is completed in the summer.

FLUFF: Radio One DJ Alan "Fluff" Freeman was on hand to support the launch of a charity fund in the memory of a Holcombe Brook man. Peter Collins, who died with his girlfriend in a motorbike accident, was a keen supporter of PHAB, an organisation concerned with promoting opportunities for the social integration of physically handicapped and able-bodied young people. The PHAB Peter Collins Memorial Fund would be used to further support the group's activities. Alan Freeman, was in charge of the disco at the launch of the fund.

GO FORTH AND MULTIPLY: Tottington would suffer it it became a "no growth" area, warned Bury Councillor Richard Fletcher. He made his comments as the local authority's recreational and amenities committee considered the local plan for Tottington. He said: "No further residential development would be wrong, detrimental to the area itself and prevent investment" in the village.

STOKOE'S BROADSIDE: Bury manager Bob Stokoe accused half his players of a lack of commitment and pride in performances as he reflected on a promotion-killing run of six games with a win.

CASH CON: Two men posing as gas board officers robbed an elderly woman of £165 after tricking their way into her house in St Paul's Street, Bury.