Preston in 1980: Britain's recession and Olympic glory

The Post are turning back the clock with a new photographic series revisiting Preston throughout the 1980s, one year at a time. From the everyday to the extraordinary, our archive pictures capture the people, places and moments that made the decade. We begin with 1980.

It was the year Margaret Thatcher's government grappled with recession and rising unemployment, steelworkers went on strike and the SAS stormed the Iranian Embassy. Britain celebrated Olympic gold for Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett, while the murder of John Lennon shocked the world.

But what was happening closer to home? This was Preston in 1980...

9. Under water

Avenham Park under water on October 27 1980, sent in by reader Ken Chapman 01772 431415 | User (UGC)

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10. Long history

Brookfield Mill, Preston c.1980. Taken from the junction of Brookfield Street and Richard Street in Ribbleton. Mouldtype Foundry is at far right. During the 1970s, it was used by Leyland Paints, before the site was completely demolished in the 1980s | Preston Historical Society