STREETS Ahead became roads awash when torrential rain put paid to Bury's Bank Holiday entertainments festival.

The atrocious weather on Monday (May 5) meant the Streets Ahead Festival had to be cancelled.

More than 12,000 people were expected to arrive in Bury town centre to enjoy a full day of free street entertainment with artists from across Europe and America taking part.

The streets were closed, all the equipment was set up and the performers had arrived.

But the decision had to be made to cancel the event at 1pm when the rain was as bad as ever, preventing many acts performing for safety reasons.

Streets Ahead, which also came to Bury last year, is organised by Manchester International Arts and had been brought to the town in a partnership involving The Met arts centre, Bury Chamber of Trade and Bury Council.

The Met's director, Alan Oatey said: "Streets Ahead in Bury is a partnership of organisations working together to bring world class entertainment to the people of the area and to keep Bury on the map.

"We had a great programme planned and Bury deserved a great day, but we can assure you The Met is committed to organising the event in Bury for the next three years."

Manchester International Arts director, Jeremy Shine said: "This was the 20th big street event that we have organised in May and the first that has ever had to be cancelled."

But it is not all disappointment. Streets Ahead in Bury was part of a larger festival running across Greater Manchester throughout May - so there are plenty of opportunities to see the exciting acts.

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