From the Evening News, 1992 - FOUR masked thugs brandishing sawn-off shotguns and a sledgehammer brought Christmas shopping terror to a Horwich supermarket in a £40,000 raid.

The raiders threatened to shoot a 34-years-old woman, and four of her colleagues, after bursting into Tesco's superstore in Mansell Way last night. As the five terrified employees were being threatened with their lives, several hundred people were shopping in the store unaware of the drama only yards away.

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

December 19, 1977

AS many bread shops were stripped of supplies this morning, a bakers' union chief warned housewives, "Don't panic". But hundreds of women were taking no chances on being without bread over the holiday period. They were busy stocking up their freezers.

The overtime ban at many big bakeries is having an effect, but local bakeries claim they can cope with the expected boost in demand. Bolton's major bakery Warburton's has come to a private agreement with its union members.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

December 19, 1952

ABOUT 250 old people in Bolton will receive parcels during the next few days containing food, clothing, hot water bottles, flasks and other commodities. These will be very welcome Christmas gifts.

During the past fortnight, some 2,000 members of the Clarence-st. Women's Institute have been collecting for lonely old people of Bolton. Members of the cookery classes have made cakes and Christmas puddings for the parcels, and other members have brought rationed goods - there is a large quantity of sugar.

Socks, bed socks, scarves, house slippers and other warm winter clothing will also go into the parcels.

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

December 19, 1902

THE third day's proceedings of the Horwich Holy Trinity Mission Bazaar was opened by Mr W.H. Lever. He congratulated the workers upon the good work they had done in Horwich. He did not know whether there were too many churches and chapels in Horwich, as had been said, but if that were the case, it was the only town in Lancashire where such a state existed.

Outside churches and chapels there was a great deal to be done before the millennium could be felt to be near. The more they joined together in one great parish, the better things would be; the better this England of ours would be, and the better they as a nation would be against that bugbear they saw so much about - foreign competition.

Saturday's proceeds amounted to about £68, including £25 from Mr Lever, who also spent £10. The total receipts for the three days were about £126.