From the Evening News, May 7, 1992 - STUDENTS were left close to tears after their cars were clamped in a massive blitz on illegal parking in Bolton.

They watched in disbelief when a private clamping company chained up more than 30 cars on land at Allied Maples' carpet and furniture store on Manchester Road.

Police were called when about 200 angry students from Bolton Metropolitan College poured onto the car park protesting furiously over the clamping.

The action took place while the store was shut because of Wednesday closing.

A spokesman for National Clamps said: "The car park was constantly full of cars from the students. Allied Maples were losing a lot of revenue; customers would go away because they thought the store was full."

An Allied Maples spokesman said the students had ignored warnings not to use the car park.

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, May 7, 1977

TWO detective-course students were shopping in a Blackpool store when a man suddenly pinched a bottle of whisky from the wines and spirits department. "There's nobody about -- help yourselves," said the thief. So the police helped themselves. He was arrested.

On the 13th of the month, a Fulwood man lost his wallet containing £13. Later the same day it was handed in to police by a 13-years-old boy. On his way to collect it, the owner found a wallet -- containing £13.

At Preston, a Mrs Sweeney complained that her fence had been damaged by a man named Regan.

These stories on the funny side of crime are in the current issue of the Lancashire Constabulary Journal.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, May 8, 1952

THE Bolton we know today owes much of its general character to the Act of 1792 --

Enclosure Act. Previously the two Boltons, Little and Great, had been governed by the five lords of the manor, who appointed a borough reeve as head officer with his staff of constables, ale-tasters, pig-ringers, bellman and others. The Act of George III vested governing powers in two bodies of trustees, and gave authority for the enclosure and sale of 250 acres of Bolton moor for development.

Proceeds of the sale had to be devoted to widening, paving, lighting, watching, cleansing Bolton streets and roads, supplying water, preventing nuisances and annoyances, and "licensing hackney coaches and chairs within the said towns".

The Act was the starting point of notable developments, and the trustees seem to have done their work well, for we owe our orderly arranged town, with its extra-wide radial roads, to the foresight and enterprise of those gentlemen and the officials who advised them.

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, May 8, 1902

MR Job H. Greenhalgh and Ald Barnes imposed a fine of 5s and costs or seven days' imprisonment at the Town Hall this morning on a carter named Thos. Henry Lunt (28), of no settled residence, who was charged with being unlawfully on enclosed premises with intent to commit a felony. Mr F.A. Horridge, who appeared for Messrs Nall and Co., said the prisoner had been a carter in the employ of the firm. being discharged in March. He continued to frequent the premises, however, although warned on several occasions.

A number of articles had been missed from the stables, and the manes and tails of several horses had been plucked in a disgraceful manner. At a quarter to one on Sunday morning, prisoner was noticed hanging about the yard and was ordered to leave, but twice in the early morning of Monday and on Monday night, he was again noticed about. On the latter occasion he was hiding behind a coke heap, and PC Jackson apprehended him. Prisoner now contended he went to the yard for shelter and thought too much of the horses to subject them to such treatment.