SKATE-BORED: Bury was looking to become the first local authority in the country to draft a by-law banning skateboarding in the streets.

STRANDED: British Rail staff swung into action in 1978 after 12-year-old Joanne Booth was left stranded in Bury while 70 of her fellow Wellington Secondary School pupils were on their way to London.

Joanne of Powell Street, was given a cup of tea and a warm room in which to wait for the next Bury train to Manchester. Then Victoria Station was contacted so that the teachers in charge of the party would know she was following them. Joanne was then whisked to Manchester by a train driver ordered to "put his foot down".

At Victoria, Joanne jumped in a taxi and was taken to Piccadilly where she discovered British Rail staff had kept the London express waiting for her.

SNACK BREAK: Sweet-toothed thieves who broke into Peel Brow Secondary Modern School at Ramsbottom got away with three boxes of Mars Bars worth £11.

UNLUCKY BREAK: Local snooker ace John Spencer was in a knockout contest with an opponent he couldn't beat, a car door. Mr Spencer banged his head on the door and knocked himself unconscious when getting into his vehicle. He was out for only a few seconds but was forced to miss a match at a Prestwich club. John Virgo stepped in to take his place.