A HUGE Polynesian party could be on the cards as part of the borough's Commonwealth Games celebrations.

Bury has put in a bid to host Tonga, known as the "Friendly Islands", or Western Samoa this July and August and has already identified £20,000 to provide a warm welcome.

The borough, like other authorities throughout Greater Manchester, has applied to take part in the "Host a Nation" scheme.

It chose the two countries, which are comprised of groups of islands in the South Pacific, after discussion with Sedgley Park Rugby Club. The club has offered its site for the teams to train for for the Rugby Sevens, a high profile sport in the Games which has been chosen as the major event preceding the closing ceremony.

But a meeting of the executive committee heard the borough faces a rival bid from Oldham, which has also applied to play host to Western Samoa.

Mr Colin Fishwick, head of economic development for Bury, said: "The culture of the islands is exciting and very different from anything that most people in Bury will have experienced.

"In addition to meeting and greeting competitors and officials as they arrive in Manchester, offering pre-Games training and acclimatization facilities, and helping visitors to enjoy their stay in Manchester, we are proposing to hold a major event based around the culture of the islands during the Games.

"This event will concentrate on the food, music, art and life of the Pacific Islands and will be designed for participation by large numbers of Bury residents."