BOLTON Parish Church is one of the town’s most easily recognisable buildings.

But it also offers one of the best vantage points overlooking the town. At 180 feet, the tower of St Peter’s Church, Bolton-le-Moors to give it its full title, is the highest church tower in the historic county of Lancashire.

In 1992 a Bolton Evening News photographer was allowed go to the top of the tower and take some pictures looking over the town.

Although taken less than 30 years ago, much has changed in that time and they provide an invaluable record of Bolton at that point.

Taken in July, the pictures show large crowds of people on Deansgate enjoying the good weather. The date also perhaps explains why St Peter’s Way looks particularly quiet, certainly compared to today.

The photos also show the modern town centre emerging with a number of new buildings featuring although much of the town’s heritage was still visible too.

Take a look and see how much of Bolton you can recognise taken from this lofty vantage point.