PRIME Minister Winston Churchill was given a rapturous welcome by 10,000 people when he visited Accrington during the course of his triumphant Northern tour on 27 June 1945.

The scenes were remarkable as a huge crowd surged around the Premier's car, making his progress impossible for a time. When his car was crossing Whalley Road on its way to Broadway from Burnley Road, the vast crowd swept the police cordon aside, bringing his vehicle to a stop.

People were fighting to shake Mr Churchill by the hand as they noisily cheered him, although they were perfectly quiet while he addressed them.

After that, he went down to Broadway and the scenes there were reminiscent of VE night, as 10,000 people were waiting for his arrival. When the cheering died down Mr Churchill gave a memorable speech about the consequences of the war and the coming General Election.

Hundreds of hands were outstretched towards the Premier as he made his way slowly along and he gripped as many as he could. Thousands of handkerchiefs were waved before Mr Churchill gave the 'V'-sign, smiled cheerfully and sped on his way to further triumphs in Blackburn and Preston.