A COMPANY aiming to opencast mine for coal in Westhoughton has dramatically increased the size of its project at the 11th hour.

R and A Young has admitted to the BEN that it wants to take in more land, only weeks before the Schofield scheme, which straddles Daisy Hill and Atherton, goes before a Department of Environment inspector. A spokesman for the community campaign against the scheme said that residents were "outraged" by the proposal.

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

September 5, 1977

A YOUNG couple and their baby son cheated death yesterday when the car they were in plunged 70 feet into a Bolton river. The car rolled over at least a dozen times down an almost sheer drop before plummeting into the River Tonge on a narrow road which continues from Raikes Lane, Darcy Lever. Police said that Mr Bill Thurkle, aged 23, his wife Chris, and their son Michael, aged 16 months, were lucky to be alive.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

September 5, 1952

A FIFTY-foot column of water hurtled over the houses in Valletts-lane, off Ivy-rd., Bolton, early today, when an eight-ton digging machine fractured an 18-inch water main supplying most of Bennetts-lane, Halliwell-rd. and Chorley Old-rd. districts. The workmen were digging a 6ft. deep trench for a new main when the pipe, one of three which runs down Valletts-lane, was struck by the scoop of the digger.

The foreman in charge of the digging, Mr J. Winstanley, said: "As soon as it happened we lowered the scoop of the digger into the trench to try and check the jet of water which was flooding houses in the next row, but the pressure of water was too great."

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

September 5, 1902

GREAT excitement was caused last night at Fleetwood when it became known that a pleasure steamer, Pioneer, laden with pleasure seekers, had gone ashore in Morecambe Bay, and was in danger of smashing up. There was a heavy sea running, and the vessel was suddenly heard to bump, and there was almost a panic on board when the steamer stranded.

About fifty people were on board, a large number being ladies and children, and there were some pitiful scenes. Some of the women commenced to say prayers, and had given up hope of reaching the shore again. The captain, however, assured the passengers that they would get off safely. It was some time before the small boats could be lowered, the ladies being put into the boats first. Two boat loads of females reached shore in safety, and the men, who also were alarmed, were afterwards landed. They had a distance of about three miles to walk to get to Fleetwood. Crowds of people from the promenade, seeing their perilous position, waded out to their assistance, and carried females on their backs through the water, which fortunately was shallow.

One hour later, the tide would have extended the channel, and they might have drowned. The rescued visitors were well cared for on reaching Fleetwood.