Who can forget the sight of King Kong perched at the foot of Blackpool Tower? The massive – 85ft in fact – inflatable star came for the 90th birthday of Blackpool Tower. The giant ape was quite a sight, peering down on the people below – and no doubt distracted one or two motorists along the Promenade. Some of the long gone shops are pictured and so is the dawn of a new era - when Houndshill opened. And there were urban issues too - abandoned cars and a derelict boating pool. In case you missed it: Streets of Blackpool long ago Blackpool's coldest winters LOVE LANCASHIRE? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Visit our Facebook page: Lancashire Nostalgia
7. Blackpool 1980s
A strange sight for Blackpool when a bulldozer cleared a path for cars in the Town Centre, 1981
8. Blackpool 1980s
Hounds Hill in 1980 showing the stairs leading to the upper level cafe. Also in the pic is Alan Boyson 's stainless steel frieze and ceiling lights
11. Blackpool 1980s
North Shore Lift in 1983 and a derelict boating pool, complete with a couple of cars...
12. Blackpool 1980s
Assistants from the Bank Hey Street branch of Woolworths collected 500 signatures in three hours for a petition protecting against the sale of the store in 1982