From the Evening News, January 7, 1993: ALLIED warplanes will hit Iraq rapidly and powerfully if Saddam Hussein ignores the ultimatum to stop infringing United Nation's resolutions, according to British sources.

As Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz today rejected the Allies' 48-hour ultimatum to remove surface-to-air missiles from a no-fly zone in southern Iraq, patience with the Iraqi government expired. The Allies are now prepared for a fight within hours of the ultimatum running out tomorrow evening.

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

January 7, 1978

CHILDREN in two areas of Bolton have launched a campaign to persuade the council to provide a free skateboarding rink. A petition, started by children in the Daubhill and Deane areas, has already been signed by more than 100 residents, who want to get the skateboarders off the back streets.

Meanwhile, a Westhoughton licensee has hit on a way of encouraging young skateboarders, and still prevent accidents. Mr Keith Housby, of the Waggon and Horses pub in Chorley Road, Wingates. has given young people permission to use the pub car park for skateboarding - outside licensing hours.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

January 6, 1953

THROUGHOUT the night and until late this forenoon, all road traffic was delayed - and in some cases completely stopped - as the whole of Bolton and the surrounding district became ice-bound. The bad conditions were caused when the snow, sleet and rain which fell yesterday froze later in the evening. Since 11pm yesterday, Bolton Highways Department has had a gritting machine spreading salt and sand on the streets.

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

January 7, 1903

A BRIGHT, intelligent-looking mite of some five summers, known as little Jimmy Brown, had, thanks to the energy of the School Board authorities, been rescued from a life of misery and maybe crime. He had to be perched on a form at the Borough Court this morning so that the Magistrates could take stock of him.

Meanwhile, Mr J. Hilton related the story of the miserable and debauched atmosphere in which the child's life has so far been spent. The mother was a woman of disorderly character, and was very often in prison. Then they had to take charge of the child in the Workhouse. The woman, who was now in gaol, had four children.

Two girls had been got away by Mr J. Popplewell, and were now under the care of Miss Barlow, of Greenthorne; another boy had been sent to an Industrial School, and now he was applying for the committal of this, the last of the four children.

P.C. Lowry described the home in King-st., where the woman and child had resided, as a den of crime. Jimmy was committed to an Industrial School until 16 years of age.