Three police officers drowned whilst trying to rescue, in vain, a member of the public who had gone into heavy seas to rescue his dog. Other notable events include the demolition of South Shore baths and the opening of Professor Peabody's Play Centre.
In case you missed them: 25 pictures to take you back to Blackpool in 1982
7. Blackpool, 1983
BMX was all the rage. Two lads show their tricks in Marton Photo: library
8. Blackpool, 1983
Blackpool's summer show impressario Alan Marsden bucked the trend to proved that there was no need for the end of the pier shows Photo: National World
9. Blackpool, 1983
Marion Thornton was resident stylist at Blackpool's Imperial Hotel during the Conservative Conference. Her appointment register read like a copy of Who's Who, with titled ladies and Cabinet Ministers' wives all booked in. Marion is pictured above with her daughter Tracey Photo: National World
10. Blackpool, 1983
Hundreds of visitors were evacuated from the Haunted Hotel sideshow when it caught fire in 1983 Photo: National World
12. Blackpool, 1983
Blackpool Zoo giraffes Libby and Octavius were pround parents of a 6ft tall baby Photo: Submit