By Katie Ellis SAUSAGE rolls made in Leigh will be ousting pies as the staple diet of Wiganers.

The pastry switch is being headed by the mayor of Wigan, who is making an unusual plea to his citizens to help buy a state-of-the-art ultrasound scanner.

Golborne-based Coun John Hilton is appealing to his pie-eating brethren to scoff a sausage roll for charity.

The request comes after Leigh bakers, Waterfields, announced that for every sausage roll sold at the Wigan shop in Mesnes Street until the end of the year, a penny will go to the Mayor's Appeal.

The mayor is hoping to raise up to £40,000 to put towards the latest ultrasound scanner to for use by the local health service in the early detection of cancer and other diseases.

Coun Hilton said: "This is a most generous offer from Waterfields and I would like to thank them for such a public gesture of support for our charity.

"Over a full year, Waterfields estimate it could be worth at least £1,000. I know Wiganers have a reputation for liking their pies and now I'm appealing to them to sample the excellent sausage rolls which Waterfields bake.

"At Wigan Athletic games, they chant 'Meat pie' sausage roll, come on Wigan score a goal'. I'm asking Wiganers to score the best goal of all -- a state-of-the-art life-saving scanner for the borough."

Waterfields chairman Richard Waterfield said: "As a company, we pride ourselves on community involvement and I am delighted we are able to support the mayor in this worthwhile cause. ROLL CALL: Mayor Coun John Hilton and his wife Norah, let the sausages roll, watched by Richard Waterfield