Lancashire nostalgia in 1971: New market hall; Devil's Bridge 'drama'; and slow lane tortoise

The indoor market hall in Preston is taking shape

Here's a look at some of the stories that were making the headlines back in 1971:

Market trader’s have a day of reckoning

The day Preston’s market traders have long awaited arrived - when they learnt the cost of trading from the new £1 million market hall.

From the list on the wall in superintendent Norman Hey’s office they were able to assess how they would fare when the “all mod-cons” building - specialist-built for the food trade - is ready, probably early next year.

For some, the prospect of a five-and-a-half day week of continuous trading conjures up visions of a rosy future on one of the town’s main shopping routes.

For others, including some of Preston’s long-established market traders, there will be the agonising decision of whether the cost in time and money will be too great for their resources, resulting in them cutting their trading association with the town.

In the past few months, traders’ representatives have had meetings with the architects and corporation officials to keep them in the picture.

But until now they have not had spelled out to them the precise cash terms and this is where the crunch comes.

Corporation Officials believe the graded rents, depending on position, size and facilities, are reasonable.

READ MORE: Look back at a selection of pictures from 1971 here

Odd couple in Devil’s Bridge ‘drama’ dive

They made quite a couple, strolling across the bridge in the rain - the gorgeous, painted, mini-skirted blonde and the moustached “scout” in khaki shorts.

A lunchtime crowd began to take more notice as the strange pair went nearer and nearer to the “brink of disaster” on the parapet of Devil’s Bridge, 50ft above the River Lune at Kirkby Lonsdale.