+By Roger Williams BUS-SPOTTERS from all over the country converged on Bolton to see a fleet of veteran vehicles in action.

The enthusiasts had come from as far afield as Taunton in Somerset and Birmingham for a glimpse of the Leyland Atlantean buses on the town's roads.

Around 40 of the buses, introduced to Bolton in the 1960s and used until 1984, ran on Saturday. Proceeds from commemorative tickets and programmes went to the Imperial Cancer Research Fund.

First Manchester bus driver Paul Hoskins, one of the organisers, said the event was a roaring success.

He said: "We're delighted there's been so much interest. We advertised in the bus press and one the internet and word also seems to have spread on the jungle grapevine."

By 8.30 on a rainy morning, a small crowd of bus-spotters had already gathered outside the Bolton Bus Depot in Crook Street where several vintage Atlanteans were on display.

Among them was Michael Garrity, aged 47, who had travelled from Birmingham. He said: "It's fantastic to see so many Atlanteans in one place. I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

Depot staff had worked round-the-clock, including through breaks and after normal working hours, to re-paint one bus in the orange, brown and white livery of the old Greater Manchester Transport.

Mr Hoskins said: "It's absolutely incredible. All credit to First Manchester for allowing this day to happen."