TEA LEAF: There was a sobering end to the escapade of a late night smash-and-grab thief who snatched a large Scotch whisky bottle from the window of an off-licence in Ingham Street, Bury. The display bottle was filled to the brim with... tea!

TRUE GRIT: While residents were enjoying the Christmas festivities, Bury Council's cleansing and transport workers were out in force gritting roads in anticipation of widespread snow storms.

VICTOR MELDREW: A pensioner, who was told by a magistrate that he was a nuisance to fellow residents at an old folk's home in Ramsbottom, was to be seeing the New Year in custody at Risley Remand Centre. A police officer was called to the home and heard the man shouting obscenities. SHARP SHOOTERS: Crack shots one and all. That's the tag youngsters from Elton Youth Club earned when they scores a triple "bulls-eye" in a .22 rifle shooting contest organised by the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers's Army Youth Team. Against youth clubs from all over Greater Manchester, Elton's A and B teams finished top of the shots at the Castle Armoury.

And to cap that, Elton also provided the best individual shot in 16-years-old Philip Lonsdale.

SEASON OF GOODWILL: Two young girls who spent the last three months raising money spent it on old people in their own town. They were Jayne Atherton and her friend Wendy Fielding, both aged 12 and of Toon Crescent, Brandlesholme, who held jumble sales and other fund raising events. The girls spent £40 on food parcels which they handed out to needy pensioners.

BOXING DAY BOWLERS: Heavy rain failed to deter the cricketers of Brooksbottom and Bolton Road from completing their annual Boxing Day encounter for the Brian Stratham Cup. For the third successive year Bolton Road won the much-prized trophy in a low scoring match by the narrow margin of 12 runs.