From the Evening News, February 18, 1903: THE Royal procession from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament this afternoon on the opening of the session by the King was favoured by beautiful weather, and some considerable time before their Majesties left the Palace the line of route was crowded with spectators.

The assembling of troops to supply escort and guards of honour, and to line the route, proved a bright and attractive spectacle.

The Royal cavalcade left Buckingham Palace at half-past-one, and right throughout the journey to Westminster their Majesties were the recipients of a very enthusiastic reception.

From the Evening News, February 17, 1993: MANCHESTER'S official bid to stage the 2000 Olympics was unveiled in London today by Prime Minister John Major. He said it would provide an "outstanding venue" for the world's greatest spectacle of sporting excellence.

SIMPLY Red's Mick Hucknall took the Best British Male Artist and Best British Group trophies at last night's Brit Awards presentations.

From the Evening News, February 18, 1978: FIFTEEN people were injured today when a massive gas blast devastated a Bolton street. It was the second explosion in the town in less than 48 hours. The blast hit Cecilia Street at 8am when most people were sleeping. Some crashed in their beds to the ground floor. Four houses were wrecked and more than 20 others badly damaged.

After the explosion ripped through the street, neighbours clawed at smoking rubble with their bare hands to reach the injured. Miraculously there were no deaths and most of the injuries were not serious.

From the Evening News, February 18, 1953: AN explosion in a development seam at Mosley Common Colliery, the largest and most modern in the North-west Division of the National Coal Board, in the early hours of today killed two men and injured two others.

The dead men at Joseph Leonard, 36, Back Railway-rd., Leigh, and Martin Gallagher (45), St Helens-rd. Leigh. The explosion took place during shot-firing operations. At the time of the accident, the night-shift was on duty and about 500 men were down the pit.

THE following is vouched for by an Edinburgh paper. Lady to tram conductor: "Do you stop at the North British Hotel?" Conductor (in an excited state): "What, on eighteen bob a week?"