Former Tory Defence Minister, Michael Portillo, reading for young Wiganers at the Linacre creche during a visit to Wigan College as part of his backing for Conservative candidate, Tom Peet, in the upcoming local by election in September 1999.placeholder image
Former Tory Defence Minister, Michael Portillo, reading for young Wiganers at the Linacre creche during a visit to Wigan College as part of his backing for Conservative candidate, Tom Peet, in the upcoming local by election in September 1999.

Turning back the clock to see what was making the news in Wigan in 1999

We are heading back 26 years to a selection of the news stories we covered in Wigan in 1999, with pictures taken by photographer Frank Orrell.

See how many you remember.

Related topics:
News you can trust since 1853
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice