10 years ago

EMPLOYERS in hard-up former communist countries turned their backs on cash and paid workers in pints of a Lancashire beer.

Money problems and inflation in Russia and Ukraine forced miners to accept food and other household items for part of their wages.

The package included beer exported by Blackburn-based Thwaites. The brewery exported 50,000 cans of bitter, mild and lager to Moscow and 90,000 cans to Kiev.

25 years ago

A BUCKET of ice and a quick-thinking workmate saved a Blackburn man from being maimed for life.

Tony Baker had three fingers sliced from his hand by a high-speed saw while at work in Manifique Kitchen Units workshop, Darwen.

Surgeons at Withington Hospital in Manchester were able to perform a 10-hour miracle operation to sew them back on after his workmate Geoff Pallister wrapped the fingers in a plastic bag and put them in ice.

50 years ago

A HIGH percentage of Nelson schoolchildren were suffering from flat feet, according to a local medic.

Dr Bowman attributed the problem to children wearing pumps and sandals without heels. He said although these were fine when used with discretion they were not suitable for wearing all day long.