MOVES to spark off a big change for the Manchester to Blackpool rail line could open the gateway to Europe for Bolton passengers.

The Railway Development Society today launched a campaign advocating a switch from diesel to electric trains on the line. They say that the £90 million scheme will mean more frequent, more reliable and more environmentally friendly trains running through Bolton. They also claim that electrification would make it possible to link into main line British Rail routes, including the Channel Tunnel line.

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

December 2, 1977

THE blueprint for Farnworth's revival proposes wide-ranging action to give the depressed town new hope for the future. Top priority will be given to regenerating industry and employment, but great importance is attached to improving housing, education, community life, recreation and shopping facilities. The Farnworth District Plan is designed to sweep away the cobwebs of the town's unhappy past and give its 17,000 people something to be proud of.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

December 1, 1952

"TEMPERATURES are abnormal for this time of year," commented one of Bolton's "met" men today. "Looking through records as far back as 1925, we can't find a ground minimum lower than that of last Tuesday, when it dropped to 15.8 degrees. That was really cold." However, plumbers are not working at top pressure. Mr A.E. Aspinall, 33, Mornington-rd., declared: "Trade is not busy at the moment, with nothing out of the ordinary for this time of year. But wait till the thaw comes - then the phone will start ringing."

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

December 1, 1902

THIS morning, one of the dullest in dull December, Harry Mack (or McWiggin), a Bolton criminal with a long and dreary record, expiated on the scaffold within Strangeways gaol, Manchester, his last great crime of murder. As our readers are aware, the murderer, who is 29 years of age, commenced early in Bolton a career of crime which has culminated in his yielding to ungovernable passion and cruelty, and the murder of Esther Elizabeth Bedford, which whom he had, for the past few months, lived in Oldham

At the Manchester Assizes, on November 15th, he was sentenced to death for his crime. No other conclusion could have been arrived at.

Since his conviction the murderer has, with what fortitude he could command, waited for the dreaded day - as three Sundays have to elapse between sentence and the execution, this morning was fixed for carrying out the sentence.

He bequeathed his few possessions, 5s 9d (28p) in money, a watch, a pair of boots and other trifles to a female visitor yesterday.