July 20, 1968

AT just after 2.30pm on Tuesday a switch was flicked and the new traffic lights on Angouleme Way, the town centre’s new road, flashed into action.

However it didn’t take long before events took a farcical turn as the first car along the tarmac went up the wrong side and the second car came down the wrong lane.

The fairly heavy traffic managed to sort itself out shortly after but the traffic lights then went out a few minutes later as the power turned off.

The muddle was finally brought under control as a policeman was quickly stationed to direct traffic at the junction of the new £220,000 circular road and Market Street.

TESCO is to take over the largest single-trader block in Bury’s new shopping centre.

The giant supermarket chain, which owns outlets across the north and already has a store at The Rock, is in negotiations with developers over the premises which will have a large frontage on Agur Street.

Other shops in the shopping centre have already been reserved by more than 30 local traders, with priority being given to those displaced by the building project.

Work on the new £3 million centre is forging ahead and on schedule, and the first shops, in a covered mall running along Union Street, will be ready for occupation by September.

Five shops will be opened at first, followed by a second batch in November, and more than 50 shops are expected to be in business by May or June.

AFTER an 11-year struggle for existence, the future of an Edenfield animal sanctuary has finally been assured after being brought under the patronage of the Duchess of Argyll.

Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary, the largest in Lancashire, is unique in never turning an animal away — however this policy has left them in a desperate battle for financial survival.

On Friday, The Duchess Margaret visited the sanctuary and inspected the premises, after registering Bleakholt as a charity, settling its £1,000 debts, and pledging a £100 monthly donation.

She is also contributing a large annual capital sum towards the sanctuary's upkeep.

Honorary secretary of Bleakholt, Mrs Olive Lomas described the Duchess' intervention as a "miracle".