From the Evening News, 1993: DRINK driving in Bolton is on the increase in Bolton for the first time in four years.

Despite tougher fines and that fact that Bolton Magistrates are now regularly banning drivers from the road for two years, the figures for 1992 showed a worrying new upward trend.

Last year the figure was 449. In his annual report, Chief Supt Jeff Riding said the highest number of drink drivers was in the 30 to 59 age group -- 228 men and 18 women.

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, February 10, 1978

A FIRE early today caused £15,000 damage and £20,000 lost production at a Little Lever paper mill, but automatic sprinklers saved the machine house at Creams Paper Mill, Lytham Road.

THE miners' union executive voted 14 to 10 today to accept basic pay rises within the Government's 10 per cent guidelines.

They also promised not to seek further basic pay rises for 12 months.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, February 10, 1953

THOSE thousands of bus passengers who, day after day for many years, have used the Oxford-st. stop as the nearest point to town centre offices, will soon have to decide whether to use the Newport-st. stopping places or those in Knowsley-st. at the junction of Corporation-st.

Bolton Town Council agreed last week to abolish the existing Oxford-st. stop for the Dunscar, Halliwell, Tonge Moor, Chorley Old-rd. and Chorley New-rd. services, and replace it for the No. 1,2,3 and 4 bus services.

These changes are being made so that all bus stops can be removed from Victoria-sq. when the improvements for the Coronation are made.

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, February 10, 1903

AN accident which, under the circumstances, might have resulted in serious consequences occurred in Bolton-rd., Westhoughton, shortly after noon on Sunday.

Mr Richard Gorst, governor of the County Industrial School at Lostock, was driving home, after leaving church with his daughter and two sons, and on approaching a bend in the road opposite to Westhoughton Gas Works the horse appears to have slipped, owing to the greasy state of the surface, and fell, throwing out of the trap Mr and Miss Gorst, his two sons, who were sitting behind, at the same time making a speedy jump out.

The horse regained its feet and bolted, but was stopped some three hundred yards beyond the scene of the accident.

The horse in its flight narrowly missed two telephone poles, but knocked over the bucket of water with which a woman was cleaning the front steps of her house.

The parties were able to proceed home in a cab.