THIS week we take a look at some interesting pictures of Bolton Town Hall through the ages.

Periodic renovations of the grand old building have afforded ample photo opportunities over the years and granted access to some lesser-seen aspects.

One shot from 1965 displays the full majesty of the town hall’s front doors. A trick of the eye makes it appear like one renovation worker is stood on his colleague’s shoulders.

Another shot shows the results of a student’s daring 200-foot climb to the top of the town hall clock in 1971, where he hung a banner bearing the word ‘rag’.

The last stage of the climb, completed in darkness, involved getting onto the outside of the building and clambering around a three-foot overhang.

Never mind the dizzying heights, it was a caser of beware the lions a year previously in 1970, when Bolton East MP, Bob Howarth said that the twin lions standing proud either side of town hall entrance were a danger, as children playing on them may fall 16ft fall onto flagstones below.

A shot from 1988 shows over-enthusiastic New Year’s Day revellers clambering onto straining scaffolding.

Elsewhere we see how Newport Street used to look, traffic and all, prior to pedestrianisation.