IT was the rarest of sights. Die-hard Bolton fans cheering on their arch rivals, Manchester United writes Gayle Evans

But cheer they did -- and the sounds of jubilant celebration could be heard across the town on Saturday night thanks to United's 1-0 victory over Ipswich, a result which finally ensured Bolton's Premiership survival.

As the whistle blew, customers in the Queen's Head, Lee Lane, Horwich, jumped to their feet and punched the air in sheer delight.

The atmosphere was tense with Wanderers fans holding their breath as Ipswich desperately clung on to their own survival ambitions.

But their loss was Bolton's gain. Lifelong fan and pub landlord Brent Brindle summed up the feeling when he said: "The Premiership is everything. It's important to the whole town, not just the fans."

Ian Rawlinson -- whose grandad, Robert Westwood, was the brother of former Wanderers legend Ray Westwood -- added: "Wanderers is in my blood.

"My mum lives in Australia and this means she can carry on watching Wanderers on TV over there, because they only show the Premiership.

"It's the first time I've cheered for Manchester United -- and hopefully the last! It's great that we're staying up and we're bound to do better next season, although we need a new centre half."

Mick Gradwell, aged 33, was also celebrating at the pub. He said: "We deserved to stay up. We've had a bad three or four months. But Sam Allardyce is the best manager there is." Lyndsay Brindle, aged 21, who is a season ticket holder at the Reebok, said: "I love watching them play. It would have been terrible if they had been relegated. I'll certainly be getting another season ticket next year."

John Brophy, aged 25, admitted that football was not his real passion in life, but said: "I got a real buzz knowing that Bolton are going to stay in the Premiership.

"I'm really pleased for all my mates who are Wanderers supporters. I realise it's important to them and for Bolton, too."

Andy Beeby, aged 34, added: "We had a cracking start to the season but things went wrong. I know we'll do much better next season. All we have to do now is find some money to buy some new players.

"We will certainly be partying after this result."