WHEN Robbie the Bobbie lost his head, crisis-stricken staff at Gigg Lane kept theirs.

The Shakers' costume piece disappeared after a home game against Hull last month when it was left on a table in the main stand corridor.

Despite a thorough search of the ground, the head has not been seen since.

Fearing they would never see Robbie's smiling face again, Bury FC staff ordered a new head to arrive in time for his pre-Christmas engagements.

The cost, a headache-inducing £650, was met by members of the Forever Bury Supporters Trust so that the mascot could attend last night's Christmas light switch-on at Mill Gate shopping centre.

It also means that Robbie will be able to take part in a hand "shaker" record attempt for Children in Need next week.

Robbie's community alter-ego Dennis Lester said: "We have no idea what happened to the head, but without it the costume is a bit of a waste of time.

"We realised there was a potential problem with organised events and didn't want to let anyone down, so we rang the company which made the original suit.

"We told them we were in a fix, and they said it would be ready in no time.

"It comes to something when the head of a mascot policeman goes missing.

"We don't want to say that it was stolen, because it may have been taken by someone thinking it would be a good joke.

"All we want is for the head to be returned, no questions asked."

Robbie's charity challenge next Friday will see him visit five schools in one morning, with staff and pupils paying to shake his hand.

The schools are: Park View Primary in Prestwich; Ribble Drive Primary, Whitefield; Lowercroft Primary, Bury; St Joseph and St Bede Primary, Bury; and Chantlers Primary, Bury.