From the Evening News, August 1, 1992 - A MAN who was ordered to pay compensation for smashing a Bolton Council wheel clamp has vowed that he would do the same again.

Unemployed Mark Stephens, of Barlow Park Avenue, Astley Bridge, pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal damage, was given a condition discharge, but ordered to pay £170 compensation to the Council and £15 costs.

He said: "After I was clamped I was told that if I didn't pay £25 within 30 minutes my car would be impounded and it would cost me £175 to get back. I had about £3 with me, and I had about 10 minutes to pick up my three children from school. I told staff this, showed them some identification and said I would come back with the money, They still refused, so I got a hammer and chisel and tried to get the clamp off. I know it was wrong, but I was faced with leaving my kids stranded and having my car towed away."

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

August 2, 1977

POLICE raided the Rivington rock festival at the weekend. The music was halted while police converged on a tent occupied by a gang of "Hell's Angels". They frisked each of the gang and sifted through their belongings. Then, as hundreds of fans watched, police dogs were called in to help search nearby undergrowth. A spokesman for Chorley police said that the raid and search were purely routine and precautionary. "Nothing was found and no-one was arrested."

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

August 2, 1952

THE American Air Force said today that so far this year it had received 432 written reports on "sighting of unidentified aerial phenomena - "Flying Saucers" to the man in the street. There have also been hundreds of oral reports.

THE nation's crime record is getting worse. In 1951 - for the second time since the war - the number of indictable offences exceeded half a million. The total was 524,506, a jump of 62,972 over 1950.

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

August 2, 1902

THE next few days will witness the demolition of a portion of the block of buildings which is perhaps the most striking and familiar figure in connection with the old Station in Trinity-street. The work of pulling down the old buildings adjacent to the old clock tower has commenced, but for some time only the booking office will be demolished., as the other portions, including that directly under the tower, are in use as the station master's office, refreshment rooms, etc.

When the entire block has been razed the site will be converted into a permanent way, and will be coupled with the double line and the off side of the island platform, thus corresponding with the opposite side which is now in working order. The building of new booking offices in Trinity-st. is being pushed forward, the foundation already having been put down.

The verandah from the new block of waiting and refreshment rooms on the Manchester arrival platform has been almost completed, the last few panes of glass being put in today.