DRINKERS had to dive for cover in 1989 when a crane involved in the construction of a new Bolton shopping centre hit a town centre pub window.

The tower crane was on Mealhouse Lane on the site of the former Bolton Evening News offices as an extension to Crompton Place - the Shipgates Centre - was being being built.

Lunchtime drinkers in Maxim’s were showered in broken glass as heavy steel rods smashed one of the main windows.

One woman suffered a cut finger and dinners and drinks had to be replaced and landlord Ray Lambton claimed his customers were lucky to escape serious injury.