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.
13. Toast
The corner of Church Street / Cotton Court. South side of Church Street leading to Starkies Wire Works. Joseph Livsey, founder of the Teetotal Movement, set up his first cheese shop in this building during the early 19th century Image courtesy of Bernie Blackburn | Bernie Blackburn
14. Powering down
Preston Power Station from the main basin. The power station was finally demolished between 1978 - 1982 | Contributed
15. Church stripped
A poignant view inside the former St Thomas's Church on Lancaster Road, Preston, after it was stripped in 1982. The photograph was supplied by Ashton reader Mrs McGill, whose husband William was a lay reader at the church | Contributed
16. Ice cool
The big freeze was an unexpected bonus for Preston's champion curlers, who could practise on a frozen pond at Fishwick Bottoms instead of travelling to Lockerbie in Scotland. Pictured, from left, are Preston Curling Club members Mike Thompson, John Kett and Ron Thornton | National World