RUGBY legend Bill Beaumont made it a "pitch perfect" occasion when he helped welcome rugby's most prized trophy to Bury.

The former England captain joined hundreds of sports fans at The Rock on Tuesday to get a glimpse the Webb Ellis Cup which will be awarded to the winners of the Rugby World Cup later this year.

The 63-year-old won 34 caps for his country between 1975 and 1982 and captained both England and the British Lions.

The cup went on display for two hours as part of its 100-day tour of venues across the UK and Ireland. Other attractions at the brief stopover in Bury included a demonstration of The Haka by four Maori "warriors" and a 70-strong choir performing a selection of rugby anthems.

Among those who saw the trophy were around 80 representatives from Bury Rugby Club (BRC) which had a hand in bringing the Webb Ellis Cup to the town.

The trophy visit was made possible by Amanda Brazendale, Rugby World Cup ambassador for BRC. After holding meetings with Lancashire Rugby Football Union, she successfully pitched for Bury to be included in the schedule of visits.

Nicola Waswalton Wray, child protection officer with BRC, said many club members joined in The Haka after taking part in earlier practice sessions.

"Hundreds turned up to see the trophy and we'd no idea that Bill Beaumont would be there.

"A few representatives from Rugby England did comment that our event in Bury was a particularly busy one. We had publicised the event through social media, and our club also had a stand which generated quite a bit of interest. We are probably the best kept secret in Bury."

The Rugby World Cup will take place in England between September 18 and October 31.