MINI mania hit Bolton last night as a convoy of more than 60 of the much-loved cars took to the streets.

The procession of Minis attracted maximum attention as they set off from the town centre blaring their horns.

The colourful convoy was put together by Williams BMW dealership in Bradshawgate to mark the release this weekend of The Italian Job, an American remake of the 1969 classic British movie starring Michael Caine and Noel Coward.

Heads were turned as the cars cruised from Bradshawgate to the Warner Village Cinema in Middlebrook.

One truck driver leaned out of his window to mouth "Nice one", and a handful of Mini enthusiasts with cameras braved the rain to capture the procession on film.

Among the owners joining the convoy was Steve Oultram, aged 39, from Astley. He has had his silver Cooper-S for two years and said: "I'm enjoying this. It's unusual and good fun."

Williams BMW dealer principal Justin Barnett said: "This has taken a lot of organising.

"We used our database to contact drivers who had bought Minis from us and the response has been great."

The new film replaces Michael Caine with Boogie Nights star Mark Wahlberg in the lead role as criminal gang leader Charlie Croker, and transports the robbery climax from Turin to Los Angeles.

In the original film, the ending was a "cliffhanger" when the gang's coach carrying the Minis and their gold bullion loot was left balancing on a precipice.

In the new film, the ending does not quite turn out to be the same.

But there was one element director F Gary Gray didn't dare change -- the Croker gang's reliance on Mini Coopers as their getaway vehicles.

There was no escaping Minis yesterday, though. Visitors to the cinema are even greeted by the sight of two of the vehicles in the cinema's foyer.