From the Evening News, November 18, 1904: AT Wigan, during the hearing of a case in which a young man named John Blackledge, of Spring Street, Wigan, was yesterday charged with using threatening language to Police Constable Wadsworth, allegations were made concerning three or four officers.

The Chief Constable stated that the allegations had been investigated. They were to the effect that several officers were in the habit of going to a certain chip potato shop and obtaining beer. The chip potato dealer was called and characterised the allegation as false. The officers also gave an emphatic denial of the charge and the defendant was fined 10s and costs. In seven years the number of Manchester policemen reported for drunkenness has decreased from 300 to 30.

From the Evening News, November 18, 1954: BOLTON Transport Department has fitted a Corporation bus with flashing indicators for a trial period.Up to now buses have not had any indicators, but if the experiment with the flashing type, which have recently become legal, is successful, all the buses will have them.The one which is being used for the experiment was put into service last night and the opinions of bus drivers and other road users will be considered before it is decided whether or not other buses should be fitted with them.

BOLTON Trades Council has been asked by the Lancashire and Cheshire Federation of Trades Councils to provide a general idea of doctors' surgery accommodation locally.When Bolton delegates discussed the issue last night two said they had never yet been in a surgery where toilet facilities were provided.

From the Evening News, November 17, 1979: LEISURE 1970s-style has become a matter of TV, gambling, bingo and drinking. Drinking has, in fact, become the No 1 leisure time activity for the large majority of the population, according to Mr Ken Roberts, a senior lecturer of sociology at Liverpool University.Mr Roberts was addressing a problem drinking seminar at Bolton College of Education (Technical) organised by Bolton Community Health Council.

ENGLAND'S oldest tourist, Geoff Boycott, and the youngest, Graham Dilley, played the major roles today in giving the touring side an easy win in their first-ever game with a white ball.England coasted to victory in the one-day, 50-overs match against Northern New South Wales.The 39-year-old Boycott was out for 78 and Kent paceman Dilley, aged 20, finished with three for 22 from nine overs.

From the Evening News, November 18, 1994: HOURS before the Toys R Us store off St Peter's Way opened this morning, a long queue had formed as people tried to lay hands on rationed Power Ranger figures.

Boydells in Oxford Street, Bolton, say they are now getting more than 100 calls a day from all over the north of England as parents try to track down what one shop called 'plastic gold.'The Chinese-made figures range between around £4 and £29.75.