From the Guide files of Friday, March 21, 1980: TOBY the Tomcat won a selection of prizes at the Lancashire Cat Show, including first in the Best Household Pet section and Best Coat.

Toby belonged to Heather Milligan, of Tulle Court, Prestwich and this was the first time she had entered him in a competition.

TABLE Tennis queens at Parrenthorn High School became champions of England. The team - Beverley Hoyle, Susan Hoyle, Debra Bowling and Helen Frost - became the first-ever team from Greater Manchester to win the English Schools Under 16 Table Tennis Championship.

The BBC radio programme Any Questions came to the Longfield Suite in Prestwich. Chairman David Jacobs was joined by Rochdale MP Cyril Smith, Baroness Lockwood, chairman of the Equal Opportunities Commission, Michael Barratt, radio and TV personality, and David Hunt MP for Wirral.

CINEMA-GOERS could look forward to seeing the Clint Eastwood film Escape From Alcatraz. The film was showing at the Mayfair Cinema in Whitefield. At the Minor Cinema, Woody Allen and Diane Keaton were starring in Manhattan.

THE circus came to town - and set up camp in St Marys Park, Prestwich.

One of the highlights of Gandey's Circus was Martin Lacey and his six African lions.