A FLAVOUR of the Middle East came to Bury at the weekend when Holcombe Hill hosted an eight-hour "Shimmython."

Belly dancers, dressed in colourful costumes, strutted their stuff during the event on Sunday. It was the latest in a series of monthly "Fill the Hill" activities staged by Bury Cancer Support Centre aimed at getting local businesses and individuals to support the charity.

Up to 100 people supported the "Shimmython" to either watch the belly dancers in action or to take part. On the day, Bury Cancer Support Centre also sold about 70 tickets for people to go up Peel Tower.

One of those heavily involved in the "Shimmython" was Lynne Marland, a Bury Cancer Support Centre trustee who has run her own belly dancing classes in the town for the past five years. She said; "Quite a few people did belly dancing on the day, many from the local area and as far as Nelson and Clitheroe. And a number of people came to have a go, having never done it before."

Lynne and fellow dancer Wendy Shuell performed for a total of seven hours during the event which also included a barbecue, music and family fun activities. So far, more than £400 has been raised for Bury Cancer Support Centre thanks to the "Shimmython."

* The next "Fill the Hill" event will be a teddy bears picnic to take place on Sunday September 6.