From the Evening News,1992 - RESIDENTS have been urged to use "people power" to try and stop a 1,000 home development going ahead in the town.

Bellway Homes have drawn up the major development proposals for land at Bowlands Hey, a large tract of open countryside lying between the Bolton-Wigan railway line and Wigan Road. The development has had the thumbs down from Bolton Council, but because Bellway has appealed, a public inquiry is to be held.

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

December 20, 1977

THE Chief Constable of Lancashire, Mr Stanley Parr, was today dismissed from his £13,500-a-year post after disciplinary charges against him were found proved. He has three weeks in which to appeal. A tribunal had investigated 37 charges alleging the misuse of police manpower and interfering with police process. It found 26 of them proved. The decision will have no effect on 60-year-old Mr Parr's pension rights.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

December 20, 1952

ONLY four more shopping days to go - and today Christmas shoppers were crowding into Bolton town-centre shops and stores within minutes of their opening, in the biggest buying rush of the season.

Heavy rain made no difference. Crammed buses brought thousands of shoppers into town. And one of the Christmas gifts that sold most briskly was the umbrella.

Christmas cards, presents and food were in demand, although toy shops won perhaps the bulk of the trade. Useful gifts for the home - ironing boards to electric washers - found many buyers.

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

December 20, 1902

ADVERTISEMENT: Cut a good figure by wearing a corset specifically made with all the most recent improvements for the support and beautifying of the figure. A high-class corset at a popular price.

J.B. Patent Side-Spring Corset. Beautiful in construction. Unrivalled in style.

Constructed in accordance with physiological principles, give no undue pressure, but yield to movements of the body, and the side supports are unbreakable. Modelled in different shapes to suit various types of figure, they yield a most graceful and rounded appearance.

Prices 3/11 (20p) to 10s (50p).