From the Evening News, April 11, 1992 - POLICE and forensic experts were today mounting a massive operation in London after a bloody IRA post-election bombing offensive killed two people and injured 91, one of them critically.

The bombs exploded within hours of each other.

GERRY Halpin enjoys a challenge. So, when the Adlington-based artist was asked to decorate a set of commemorative plates for the Bolton Evening News' 125th anniversary, it was new and difference. The result was a set of four lovely plates, each featuring a local landmark, and all have proved popular with readers.

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

April 11, 1977

DESPITE the twin deterrents of higher petrol prices and uncertain weather, Lancashire resorts and Lake District beauty spots have had a bumper holiday. At times during the Easter break, up to 4,000 vehicles an hour have been pouring into Blackpool and Lakeland. An AA spokesman said: "This part of the world is now probably running the West country a close second as Britain's top tourist centre."

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

April 11, 1952

SIR,- The percentage of voters in Farnworth at the County Council election this week was just over 30 per cent.. When one considers how our forefathers fought for the vote, this is disappointing.

Would it not be a good thing if, whilst preserving the secrecy of the ballot, we could evolve some system by which a record could be kept of those people who didn't trouble to use their vote? Then, when people come along to a public representative with a load of troubles, he could find whether they had used their votes.

Citizens who cannot be bothered to use their valuable privilege of voting should the subject to a fine, providing their absence was not due to sickness or infirmity. Yours, James A. Ryan, 11 Darley-st., Farnworth.

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

April 11, 1902

SHORTLY after three o'clock this afternoon, a terrible accident befell a man named Thomas Howarth, a steeplejack, residing in Brown-st., whilst engaged in effecting some repairs to the chimney belonging to Messrs W. Crumblehulme and Sons, Derby Ironworks. Howarth was standing on a scaffold when he missed his footing, but he caught a rope attached to the scaffolding and thus broke his fall.

He was hanging in a perilous position, and endeavoured to reach the ladder, but in making the attempt he lost his hold of the rope and was precipitated to the ground - a distance of about 33 yards.

He fell heavily through the roof of the boiler house to the ground below. Assistance was speedily rendered to the poor fellow, who was promptly removed in a semi-conscious condition to the Infirmary, where he was found to be suffering from general injuries, shock, and a compound fracture of one of his wrists. He now lies in a serious condition.

The unfortunate fellow was in the employ of Messrs Wm. Hall and Sons, chimney repairers, 23, Mayor-st., and was assisting in fixing a new top to the chimney when the accident occurred. Upon our representative making a telephonic inquiry at the institution at five o'clock, he was informed that the doctors were still engaged with the injured man, the extent of whose injuries it was impossible to state.