The year 1999 was an exciting one in general, defined by New Labour verve and widespread anticipation in Britain, so here we take a look back at some of the best pictures of life in Preston and Lancashire from that heady era...
Still hankering for more retro? Check out these other recent pieces...

25. Life in Preston in 1999
Pupils from Lever House CP School in Leyland, working with their grandparents Photo: RETRO

26. Life in Preston in 1999
The battle of sexes has spilled out over a Lancashire bar. Things turned bitter at the Cartford Hotel in Little Eccleston, near Garstang, because local brewer John Smith has installed a new beer pump featuring a topless woman. John, who owns the Hart Brewery next door to the pub, fell out with barmaid Fiona McCulloch after she drew a bra on the female, who was advertising the beer called Temptress Photo: RETRO

27. Life in Preston in 1999
Oh what a lovely war... at least, for this team of crack troops. Paintballing is now an established sport which sees two teams take each other on in a variety of landscapes, trying to wipe out the enemy with powerful paint-pellet firing guns. John Jones, Stuart Rimmer, Michelle Jones and Stuart Crichton make up Lancashire's The Dye Hard squad who won the No Battlepack Winter Series national competion Photo: RETRO

