From the Evening News, May 14, 1992

QUICK-thinking hero schoolboy Jon Howarth yanked his drowning pal to safety from a canal - by his ears.

Daniel Barlow, aged five, tumbled into the weed-filled water near his home in Riverside Drive, Prestolee, when a stick his was leaning on broke. But luckily, 11-years-old Jon was nearby and sprung into action. He held onto the younger boy's ears and pulled him to the bank as he was about to go under for the second time. The slime-covered little boy was then taken home to his grateful dad Ian.

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, May 13, 1977

A FIRM at Farnworth which has been building infection-free operating theatre units for the past seven years is to install one at the Bolton Royal Infirmary soon. It will be the first time that techniques pioneered by the company, Howorth Air Engineering Co. have been used in a Bolton hospital, although already about 150 units have been installed in hospitals in Britain and the firm has exported to 21 countries.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, May 14, 1952

SIR,- While browsing among reference books I came upon a description of the River Croal, written in 1797: "It produces trout, dace, gudgeons and eels, but as there are nets kept at all mills in this neighbourhood, they are early destroyed, then the quantity is inconsiderable.

If the river was as clean today, the millworkers could perhaps catch a tasty trout - if the mills kept nets!. Yours, Eric Holt, 88 Greenfold-ave., Farnworth.

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, May 14, 1902

A SHOCKING fatality occurred at Edgworth on Tuesday night, the victim being Richard Allen, who lived at Back Bolton-rd. in the township named.

Deceased was employed as a quarryman at Mr Alderson's quarry, and at a quarter past eight he was putting a strap on a wheel connected with the power plant when he met with a terrible mishap which cost him his life.

Through some cause unexplained, he was caught by the strap and carried round the shafting, being apparently killed almost instantly. A doctor was summoned, but he could only pronounce life extinct. Allen was 45 years of age. The shocking accident has caused a feeling of sorrow and regret in the district.