THIS old fabulous photograph of the Civic Centre in Bolton could well have been taken recently if it were not for the vehicles giving the game away.

Although we do not know the date of the older image it is clearly not a recent one. Perhaps readers can help identify the rough date for us.

The buildings look almost identical today and have clearly stood the test of time.

In 1923 the Council decided to extend the Town Hall to the rear of the building and construct a new, crescent-shaped civic centre complex which would frame the design.

It would replace most of Spring Gardens and Howell Croft which was, at that time, a selection of rather squalid and crumbling properties.

The extra building would provide a new home for the police and courts (freeing up space in the old Town Hall) and also establish a purpose-built central library, art gallery and museum. Space was also allocated to the Council's expanding Public Health Department.

The scheme was designed by the Bolton architects, Bradshaw, Gass & Hope.