10 YEARS AGO From the Evening News, December 9, 1998 Patients in Bolton are having to wait longer to see consultants because of pressure of emergency cases.

Today's NHS performance tables reveal that fewer outpatients are being seen within 13 weeks of being referred than in past years.

25 YEARS AGO From the Evening News, December 9, 1983 Bolton squelched into its wettest weather for years today, with flood waters rising throughout the town.

Measurements at Hall-i'th'-Wood showed 2.29 inches falling in the 24 hours up to 9 am today.

Blackspots on local roads as motorists struggled through the wet to work this morning were on Moss Bank Way, Chorley New Road, Bradshaw Road, Valletts Lane, at Egerton War Memorial and Smithills Dean Road.

50 YEARS AGO From the Evening News, December 9, 1958 Because of the poor state of repair of No. 76, Dobson-rd., Bolton, the East Lancashire Valuation Panel sitting in Bolton to-day agreed to reduce the assessment.

The owner, Miss Mary Graham asked for reductions in assessments of £34 gross and £25 rateable value.

100 YEARS AGO From the Evening News, December 9, 1908 The choir of a Berwick church has gone on strike because the managers will not allow the removal of the organ to the church hall and the choir refuses to practice in the church, as it is too cold. Neither party will give way, and there was no choir last Sunday.