Not only was it the year that the Labour Party under Tony Blair won a landslide election victory, ending 18 years of Conservative power, but it was also the year Princess Diana tragically died, while the 1996/97 season was Preston North End’s first back in the Second Division after three seasons in the third tier. Here are a few retro photos of life in Preston from that historic year...
13. Preston 1997 retro
The magical world of Disney came to Preston and brought stars ot the eyes of a happy band of youngsters. Fifteen pupils from Sherwood County Primary School in Fulwood were invited along to our Lancashire Evening Post headquarters on Eastway as filming took place for the action-packed Disney Club. The top children's TV show, screened on Sunday mornings, features cartoons, jokes, games and more Photo: RETRO
14. Preston 1997 retro
A Preston wine bar has launched a Blind Date style competition - with a night out with a barmaid as a star prize. Glovers, in Glovers Court, is promising a lucky winnter a night on the tiles with one of six women volunteers Photo: RETRO
15. Preston 1997 retro
The full cast of the pantomime Snow White at the Guild Hall, Preston. Photo: JOHN HUGHES
16. Preston 1997 retro
Preston's new style music festival started off on a high note. Hundreds of balloons were released on the town's Flag Market to mark the opening of PrestFest. At the launch three local bands - TCR, Tripitaka and Blue - and singer-songwriter Dave Gardener performed. That follwed the opening speech by Frank Sanderson, vice-chairman of the festival organisers Propeller Promotions. Local musicians who have been a part of Preston's music scene for the past 40 years were invited to attend Photo: RETRO