10 years ago: From the Evening News March 22, 1995: POLICING in Farnworth reaches the end of an era next week when Supt Alan McLeod bids farewell to the Church Street station. After 35 years of dedicating his life to the police force, the popular head of Farnworth police sub-division is retiring.

With his departure, command of Farnworth will pass to Supt Frank Birkenshaw, head of Bolton Central. The two sub-divisions will merge.

THE Northern Ireland peace process took a major step forward today when, for the first time, a Government minister met leaders of political parties linked to paramilitaries.

Northern Ireland political development Minister Michael Ancram began exploratory talks with representatives of the loyalist Progressive Unionist Party and the Ulster Democratic Party.

John Major gave the go-ahead for the discussions to take place at Stormont Castle after the Government received assurances that Protestant paramilitaries would move towards getting rid of their weapons.

25 years ago From the Evening News March 22, 1980

A national company has laid out the carpet for a new lease of life at a giant Bolton mill.

Allied Carpets - part of the Asda group - has announced that it is taking over the Rivington Carpets factory on the Raikes Lane Industrial Estate and plans to employ about 30 staff.

THE opening of a March fun fair yesterday at Higher Market Street, Farnworth was heralded with a "never again" petition.

The protest has been organised by the caretaker of the neighbouring Hollands School Community Centre, Mrs Eva Bailey. She complains of "nuisance, disturbance and racket" - and warns of the dangers of "vandals, hooligans, drunks and misfits."

50 years ago from the Evening News March 22, 1955

FOR his work as Bolton grocers' representative on the Bolton and District Food Central Committee during the war, Mr Thomas Ashton was presented with a combined tea pot and alarm clock at the annual meeting of the Bolton Grocers' Association last night.

ATHLETE Chris Chataway comes to Bolton on Friday evening to take party in a panel - arranged by the Conservative party - which will answer questions put by local people.

The other panellists will be Mr Harmar Nicholls MP, Mr Philip Bell MP and Dr Pearl Hulbert. TV and radio personality Leslie Mitchell is chairman.

100 years ago from the Evening News March 22, 1905

TWO ladies belonging to Heckmondwike had an old trick practised on them while waiting for a train at the North-Eastern Railway Station, Leeds, on Monday.

In the waiting room a woman asked them to hold her baby "for a few minutes" while she spoke to a friend outside.

The request was acceded to, but as time sped by and the woman did not re-appear, the obliging ladies became anxious, eventually seeking the advice of a railway inspector. He evidently did not relish the charge, for he, in turn, handed the child over to another employee.

Later it was taken to the Police Station and afterwards to the Workhouse.

The police are endeavouring to trace the woman who left the infant, which is about 11 months old. It has blue eyes, light hair and is very well-dressed.