10 YEARS AGO From the Evening News, March 12, 1999 TEENAGERS are now the least interested in environmental, ethical and animal rights issues when shopping, having previously been the age group keenest on using their conscience, according to a new survey.

The 15 to 19-year-olds are the most apathetic, the study by Mintel found. The most idealistic consumers in their early 20s and people aged 35 to 44.

25 YEARS AGO From the Evening News, March 12, 1984 POLICE were today investigating a mystery blaze which wrecked a pensioner’s home.

Widow Annie Kateley, aged 66, was staying with relatives while major renovations were being carried out at her three storey house in Rupert Street, Great Lever.

Neighbours spotted flames shooting from an upstairs room and called the fire brigade, but by the time the blaze was under control much of the house had been severely damaged.

50 YEARS AGO From the Evening News, March 12, 1959 A TEENAGER was sent for trial to-day, charged with shop-breaking and stealing money. After the teenager had asked for bail on the grounds that he would rather scrub his mother’s floors at home than scrub the floors at prison, the magistrates remanded him in custody.

100 YEARS AGO From the Evening News, March 12, 1909 The monthly meeting of the Blackrod District Council was held, there being present the Rev G W Coleman and Messrs. T Wigham, H L Wright, J Banks, R Berry, W Harrison and A Hulme, together with the Clerk, Mr J Hutchinson.