From the Evening News, April 15, 1992

LES Miserables ended in tears last night.

The much-hyped show was abandoned after the interval at its Northern premier at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, when a technical fault halted the major "barricade" scene change for the second half. With the cast - some of them in tears - behind him, impresario Cameron Mackintosh told the star-studded first night audience that the show could not go on. The audience had waited 45 minutes before Mr Mackintosh made his announcement - and then responded with a standing ovation!

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, April 15, 1977

HOME loans are to be one per cent cheaper from May 1. The rate is to be cut from 12 per cent, the Building Societies Association decided today.

Meanwhile, Britain's cost of living rose steadily last month to 16.7 per cent, the highest point for almost a year.

THERE'S nowt wrong with the way we talk, Bolton people said today with a barrage of Northern accents. Town centre shoppers came out in support for the new Campaign for the North group which is trying to win greater recognition for the region and its population of 15million. The group wants the North to have its own Government - pronounced "guverment" - so that the area between the Midlands and the Borders can strengthen its identity and local accents.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, April 15, 1952

THOUSANDS of people from the Bolton, Farnworth, Atherton, Tyldesley, Wigan and Leigh were among the 50,000 Easter Monday holidaymakers who stormed Chapel-st. station, Southport, last night, as they struggled in torrential rain to get a train home.

As the storm broke at tea-time, thousands made their way to the station in an attempt to get an earlier train, while evening trippers joined queues for the homeward journey without leaving Chapel-st. The railway staff were overwhelmed. Gates were closed against the jam, and scores of extra police were called in to help stem the rush. Seventeen people were injured.

Station officials were powerless to stop the rush, and soon platforms and station entrances were packed to overflowing. Down came the steel shutters, and the gates were locked. Thousands stood outside in the rain. Trains were leaving hours late. Many people did not get home until 3.15am.

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, April 16, 1902

IN the house of Commons on Monday, Mr Knowles asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention had been called to a meeting of the Leigh Board of Guardians, held on 3rd April, at which allegations were made as to the ill-treatment of workhouse children at Tottington, and when it was stated that out of 230 children in the school only 84 were free from disease.

Mr Knowles also asked when industrial schools were subject to surprise visits from the Local Government Board inspectors, besides the annual formal visits, and whether Mr Long proposed to take any action with regard to the school at Tottington.

Mr Long: I have already made some investigations and I have decided to direct an inquiry on oath to be held on the subject. Local Government Inspectors can visit at any time.

The news that an official inquiry has been ordered into the Tottington school scandal his received with the greatest satisfaction in Leigh and neighbourhood, and Mr Long's reply is looked upon as evidence that the matter will be sifted to the bottom.