BURY has welcomed several prominent figures to the town over the years.

We look back at two special occasions which brought Policy Academy stars, Hollywood's Liza Minelli and Bruce Willis, and cricket great Clive Lloyd to the borough.

VISITORS at the opening of Bury's new £5 million cinema complex were given the shock of a lifetime when the occasion was raided by police.

Guests watched on with horror as the cops screeched to a halt outside the new Warner Brothers 12 screen Multiplex on the Pilsworth Industrial Estate.

But it was all smiles as Captain Harris, played by G. W. Bailey, Officer Laverne Hooks, played by Marion Ramsey, and Lt. Proctor, played by Lance Kinsey, stars of the Police Academy film series, climbed on top of the car, threw open their arms and announced "we're here!"

Police Academy 6: City Under Siege, part of the American comedy series, was being premiered that night and the celebrities had flown over for the occasion, in June, 1989.

At the time, Bury was the largest cinema complex in Britain, with screens ranging from 166 seats to 573 seats.

Hollywood megastar Liza Minelli was also among celebrity guests at the premiere.

The actress officially opened the complex, which was the flagship of Warner Bros new multiplex cinemas.

And actor Bruce Willis was also at the grand opening.

Bury Times: Legend cricketer Clive Lloyd with Mark Sweeney and Alan PollittLegend cricketer Clive Lloyd with Mark Sweeney and Alan Pollitt

RED Rose legend Clive Lloyd attended an auction for a cricket bat autographed by the Lancashire Cricket team.

The former Guyana-born batsman captained the West Indies from 1974 until 1985, and played for Lancashire from 1968 until 1986, later settling in the Greater Manchester area.

The bat, given by the Lancashire players, was auctioned at a presentation evening for the Works Service Annual Knock-out Cricket Inter League sponsored by Stormseal and held at Bryan Robson's Piano Bar, Radcliffe.

The event in November 1986 helped to raise £270 for the Hurdles Centre, which supports disabled children and yougn people in Bury.

Clive Lloyd, who who was knighted in the New Year Honours 2019, is pictured with chairman Mark Sweeney and Alan Pollitt, receiving the cheque for Hurdles.

  • Do you have photos or memories of other celebrity visits to Bury through the decades? Please share your memories with us via the Bury Times Facebook page or email newsdesk@burytimes.co.uk.