From the BEN files: 25 YEARS AGO

POWERS for the police to conduct breath tests on a much wider scale, and tougher sentenced for "high risk" and second drink-drive offenders are proposed in a Government report out today.

A HORSE-drawn milk float which used to tour Bolton with its pints could be making a come-back. It's been restored to its original livery of red and gold by a Newton-le-Willows painter and sign writer, Donald Cassidy, who found it in a decrepit state at a farm near Warrington. The float used to belong to John Pendlebury of Clough Farm, Bolton, who employed a milkman to tour the Chorley New Road area of Bolton. It made daily deliveries until its driver retired 15 years ago.

50 YEARS AGO

BERIBBONED football fans "who wouldn't throw away the chance of seeing the game for a pension" told a reporter this afternoon that nylons and whisky were among temptations held out to them by the cup final ticket racketeers at the Wembley main line station. Banned for the first time from touting on the roads approaching Wembley Stadium, under penalty of a £2 fine, ticket touts massed at Wembley Station. The black market prices were well up on past years. There were offers of £2 for 3s tickets, up to £10 for one-guinea seats; and £15 for the best two guinea seats.

In the match itself, Newcastle beat Blackpool 2-0.

125 YEARS AGO

THE Journal de Paris reports a fatality to the Mayor (M. Lacroix) of Blot l'Elise, France. Lacroix lately entertained the idea of establishing a mechanical and moveable sawmill, to cut upon the spot the forest trees which abound in this district.

He had constructed a large wagon, upon which was fixed a circular saw of great dimensions, and which could be put into motion by an engine of six-horse power. Steam was got up on Monday last to make a trial of its powers on some trees.

The Mayor, after having, in the presence of a great number of people congregated for a holiday, demonstrated the utility of the machine, sat down for a moment in the wagon, without taking the precaution of stopping the machine, when the blouse he was wearing over his clothes was caught by the revolving saw, which drew him down so suddenly that he fell upon the saw, which in two turns left his body slantingly asunder. One shriek escaped from the horrified crowd; but before any of those present could understand what had happened, the Mayor had ceased to live, his body having been literally cut in two.