A BID by a mystery consortium to buy Bury Football Club has been accepted.

If the offer -- believed to be in the region of £1million -- is given approval by the High Court, then the new owners will be in charge for the start of the new season.

Because of a confidentiality clause, the owners identities cannot be revealed until the deal is given the green light by the court.

However, Shakers fans will be relieved that a deal to attain ownership of the club appears to be closer now than at any time in the last 12 months.

Chairman Terry Robinson said: ''A consortium has had a bid accepted to buy the club, but it is conditional on the High Court giving it the go ahead.

"The agreement says that it has to be completed for early August, but we are hopeful that the matter can be sorted out by early June.''

If the deal does go through, it will bring to an end the most traumatic 12 months in the history of the club and give Bury the stability to plan for the future.

However, there is no clues about whether the new owners would retain Andy Preece as manager of the club.

Assistant boss Steve Redmond's contract runs out in June. He, like all the other out of contract players, has been offered new terms, which are thought to be less than the players were previously earning.

There has been interest in buying the club throughout the season, first by former Chesterfield chairman Norton Lea and then when billionaire Norwegian Atle Brynestad -- owner of Swedish side Malmo -- flew to Gigg Lane to watch a

match, but no firm offers were made.

That led to severe financial difficulties which threatened the very existence of the club. The recent Save Our Shakers campaign and the situation was so serious even chairman Terry Robinson took to the streets armed with a bucket, asking people to contribute.

The persistence has finally paid off. A consortium has had a bid accepted and Heads of Agreement have been signed

to acquire the majority shareholding, formerly owned by Hugh Eaves. And the news, say the club, could also mean a reprieve to one of the players released on a free transfer, presumably Adrian Littlejohn or, more likely, Lutel James.

Robinson explained: "It is possible that if this resulted in more funding becoming available, then we would be in a position to offer terms to one of the players released by the club last week."

Asked whether the consortium might threaten his own position at the club, he said: ''I don't know and it doesn't matter. The future of Bury Football Club is the priority.''