A LORRY driver averted a tragedy by skilfully dodging pedestrians, cars and houses as his 32-ton vehicle hurtled backwards way down Bolton Avenue, Huncoat.

Robert Dowd was praised for his actions by fire chiefs who rushed to the scene after the runaway truck crashed on to its side, spilling its load of heavy rubble.

Car boot sales were breaking out across East Lancashire as big business started to muscle in.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.