Not only was it the year that the Labour Party under Tony Blair won a landslide election victory, ending 18 years of Conservative power, but it was also the year Princess Diana tragically died, while the 1996/97 season was Preston North End’s first back in the Second Division after three seasons in the third tier. Here are a few retro photos of life in Preston from that historic year...
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5. Preston 1997 retro
Born performer Yuri can teach children a thing or two about clowning around. He grew up in the circus and is now passing on the tricks of the trade to youngsters through a series of skills workshops - like this one at St Peter's CE School in Fulwood, Preston. Yuri is pictured with pupils (from left) Dean Sumner, 10; Dean Ash, 11; Tim Bowerman, 11l and Martin Speariett, 11 Photo: RETRO
6. Preston 1997 retro
Scores of brides-to-be packed out Preston's Marriot Hotel for their popular annual wedding fayre. Pictured above Keaton Dickinson, eight, and his sister Lucinda, seven, of Lytham, modelling wedding clothes for the fayre Photo: RETRO
7. Preston 1997 retro
Pupils at a rural Lancashire school are waving the green flag for the environment after winning a national energy saving competition. Great Eccleston Copp CE School, near Preston, took top science honours in the Powersavers competition and picked up a trophy and £750 cash prize for the school. Pictured (from left): Stephanie Ball, Rebecca Holder, Emma Lowe and Thomas Bamber Photo: RETRO
8. Preston 1997 retro
Staff at a Preston unit for adults with mental health problems took part in a mammoth sponsored walk to raise cash to buy extra comforts for their patients. Nurses and doctors at the Avondale Unit at Royal Preston Hospital walked from Preston to Garstang as part of their fun-raising drive Photo: RETRO