THE puzzle surrounding the sudden appearance of rugby goal posts on a roundabout near a Bury motorway has been solved.

Eagle-eyed motorists approaching the M66 at Heap Bridge will have spotted the distinctive red and white posts and left scratching their heads at their bizarre location - well away from any rugby pitch.

After tackling the issue head-on, we can reveal that the posts are the first in a series of Bury in Bloom displays to celebrate the town will be hosting a visit by the famous Webb Ellis Cup - the Rugby World Cup trophy - later this year.

It will be displayed on The Rock for two hours on July 28 as part of its 100-day tour of the UK and Ireland.

The trophy visit was made possible by Amanda Brazendale, Rugby World Cup ambassador for Bury Rugby Club. At earlier meetings with Lancashire Rugby Football Union (RFU), she pitched for Bury to be included in the schedule of visits and was delighted when the town was ultimately selected.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The cup will be in Bury between 8am and 10am on the day," she said.

The England RFU posts were put up on the roundabout to coincide with the announcement and more sport-related items will be added to form a rugby-themed Bury in Bloom display — courtesy of Bury Council.

Amanda explained: "The council do Bury in Bloom every year and I asked if they could do me a display. This will include a massive England rugby ball, flags, raised flower bed and figures in various poses. The displays will be coming from Bury Council as part of its bloom competition."