BURY Council has stepped in to sponsor Bury FC's shirts after Birthdays pulled out.

The one-year deal will see the council pay £50,000 to have its name and logo on the Shakers' kit next season, assuming the club survives.

The local authority has moved in after long-term sponsors Birthdays announced they would not be renewing their option. The company's three-year sponsorship deal ends at the close of the current season.

Members of all political parties have sanctioned the deal, under which the council will hand over £50,000 to the Shakers once the club's long-term survival plans are in place.

Councillor John Byrne, council leader and Gigg Lane regular, said: "The cash underlines our optimism that the club has a future and a bright one at that.

"Sadly, the local authority has not been in a position to come up with the kind of funding needed to clear the club's huge debts. We have to cater for many needs from what is not a limitless budget. Bury FC, though, have been ambassadors of our town for so long and to

see it disappear would be a real tragedy.

"The shirt sponsorship provides much-needed money for Bury FC and, more importantly, underlines the support there is for the club from the entire community."

Coun Byrne added: "The council is 100 per cent behind the efforts to save the Shakers."

Meanwhile, bids received for Bury FC are being pored over by the club's administrators.

RSM Robson Rhodes have declined to reveal how many parties are interested in taking over the Shakers, although the Bury Times believes that at least three bids are under scrutiny.

The situation surrounding the club will be spelled out by joint administrator Mr Matthew Dunham in the programme notes for Bury's clash with Colchester at Gigg Lane tomorrow (Sat April 13).

He added: "We are hopeful we can agree a deal and make an announcement about the club's long term future. But there's still a long way to go."

The administrators want to present their preferred bid to the High Court on April 26.

Mr Dunham appealed to fans to show their continuing support by attending tomorrow's game and other fund-raising events.

"By raising money to help pay wages and costs, it shows the investors that the fans are true supporters of the club in every sense.

"There has been fantastic support. To be honest, I don't think any other club would have raised so much money in such a short time."

Mr Dunham acknowledged, however, that the threat of losing £183,000 in revenue following the collapse of ITV Digital had made his job harder.

He said: "We're going through each bid with a fine toothcomb. We'll be talking to the creditors, the Football League and any other interested parties to get an agreement on the way forward."