In Preston we have been blessed with a number of beautiful open spaces and Avenham and Miller Parks in the heart of the city centre make up just two of them. They have a colourful history, dating back to 1860s, when they were created during the Cotton Famine. The parks are connected by paths, alongside the River Ribble and underneath an ornate railway bridge. A visit to the park must evoke many memories for many, and we hope these pictures from the 80s and 90s help spark those recollections. READ MORE: Take a trip back to Miller Arcade in the past. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: A bird’s eye view of Preston in 2013. MORE MEMORIES: Aerial photos of Preston in the 90s and 00s

1. Avenham and Miller Parks
This group of hardy cyclists and pedestrians are making their way up a snowy hill on Avenham Park in Preston. The image was taken in 1983 Photo: Norman Wiggins

2. Avenham and Miller Parks
Steps down to a shaded pathway on Avenham Park, Preston Photo: Archive

3. Avenham and Miller Parks
Grass land all churned up on Avenham Park in 1992 Photo: Kevin McGuinness

4. Avenham and Miller Parks
The magnificent stone stairway and balustrade in Miller Park, Preston, which was built by the workless during the Cotton Famine. This image was taken in the early 1980s Photo: Roy Payne