10 YEARS AGO From the Evening News December 3, 1998 Community groups in Little Hulton and Farnworth have issued an Anneka Rice-style challenge to local businesses to make a difference to someone’s life this Christmas.

Bosses at firms in the area are being urged to give the gift of time to help make the festive season special for deserving children and the elderly.

25 YEARS AGO From the Evening News December 3, 1983 Bolton is set to lead the country in a bid to stamp out video “nasties”.

Video retailers themselves are heading the move, seeking to end confusion about the law which has led to a number of prosecutions.

A watchdog committee to monitor the “nasties” and lay down guidelines for local retailers may be set up early next year.

50 YEARS AGO From the Evening News December 3, 1958 Two cars were badly damaged and three people were injured in a 10-vehicle pile-up in thick fog on the East Lancashire-rd. at Leigh to-day.

The pile-up occurred when a lorry stopped because of a puncture.

100 YEARS AGO From the Evening News December 3, 1908 Professor Walter Eilweber, who was accused in Berlin of boxing the ears of a pupil so severely that the boy’s health was injured, pleaded that he had been an officer, and could not endure undisciplined boys.