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.
17. Asian fashions
Preston Mayor Doris Scowcroft attends a fashion show with a distinctly Asian flavour at the annual meeting of the Asian Ladies Club at Lune Street Methodist Hall | National World
18. All ears
What a din! Verco the clown gave his young fans a slight case of earache with his musical performance on an old car horn. They had gathered round to watch his show in St George's Centre as part of Preston shopping festival | National World
19. Football fever
Preston North End captain Don O'Riordan joins young patients at Royal Preston Hospital to judge a football-themed painting competition organised by Deepdale Radio | National World
20. Rock challenge
Blackburn band Exit Visa, fronted by Louise Cousteau, kick off the first heat of the Lancashire Evening Post Rock and Pop Challenge at Clouds nightclub in Preston. The group finished runners-up.