Preston in 1982: a year of war, unemployment and change in 23 nostalgic 1980s photos

It was the year Britain went to war in the Falklands, unemployment passed three million and Margaret Thatcher's government faced the challenges of a deep recession. Channel 4 arrived on television screens, Prince William was born and E.T. became a cinema sensation. But what was life like in Preston during this turbulent year?

But what was happening closer to home? This was Preston in 1982, when Red Rose Radio first went on air and the town staged its inaugural shopping festival. At Clouds nightclub, bands battled for glory in the LEP Rock and Pop Challenge, while Preston North End players visited young hospital patients. From the Flag Market to the docks, our archive pictures capture a town in transition.

9. Twisted wreckage

Demolition of Flatts Mill, Walton-le-Dale | Contributed

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10. Diving in

Two youngsters get the chance to try out diving equipment, with a helping hand from uniformed instructors during an outdoor demonstration on the Flag Market | Contributed