A BOLTON driver fought for his life as his car careered out of control on the motorway - after hitting a full-sized bed.

Sales representative Neville Alcock was still shaking from the accident as he told how he thought it was all a bad dream. Mr Alcock, of Red Lane, Breightmet, was driving his car along the busy motorway between Farnworth and Worsley when he hit the bed, which was straddling the carriageways where the M61 meets the M62.

His Cavalier bounced over the mattress before ploughing into the timber-framed single bed. "There was a skip wagon some way in front, but I don't know whether the bed had fallen off the back of it," he said. "I've heard of drivers nodding off on the motorway, but I've never heard of a service to cater for them."

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

September 19, 1977

MANCHESTER United have been kicked out of a top European competition following riots in France by the club's supporters. It means that United, who fans clashed with police before last week's cup-tie with St Etienne, are out of the Cup Winners Cup, despite drawing that match 1-1, and looking favourites to win the second leg. A St Etienne club official said: "The club's players are fair, but the same cannot be said of certain of their supporters."

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

September 19, 1952

SIR,- What I can't understand about Burnden supporters is the fact that the spectator seems quite satisfied to put up with personal discomfort while seeing the match without a murmur.

What do you find at Burnden? Children are pushed and jostled against a smoke blackened high wooden fence which they have to peer through, and which they can't see over. When the match is over the emerge with sooty faces and filthy hands.

Also, there are not enough toilet facilities for women.

If you leave the popular side and try a more expensive part of the ground, the same problems remain. When I made the move I had to pay full price for the children as well as for my wife and myself.

I think the Bolton management is taking full advantage of the northerners' tremendous enthusiasm for football. It will refrain from improvement as long as things are paying their way. F. Makin, 195, Victoria Road, Horwich.

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

September 19, 1902

ASPULL is not artistic and for half a century or more has witnessed few changes. There are today, as there have been for generations, hen-cotes and pigeon-cotes on the wide stretches of common land by the roadside. The District Council are now moving, and are determined to beautify the neighbourhood by tree-planting and other means and to provide for the healthful enjoyment of young Aspull. This afternoon two members of the District Council met two experts in arboriculture to consider the question of the planting on the open plots of land. The idea is to have the unsightly erections removed and to have avenues of forest trees in the principal centres.

A recreation ground and football field are also being provided; indeed, the land has already been secured. The Earl of Crawford, as lord of the manor, has given to the District Council his rights in all the land needed for these public improvements, so that the expense to the township of the forward policy will be comparatively small.