These were the stories making the headlines in Blackpool in June 2004

Fleetwood beach hut sale raised thousands for council

Selling Fleetwood’s beach huts raised more than £50,000 for Wyre Council.

The cash windfall was announced at a meeting after leader Coun Alan Vincent faced questions over the sale process.

Labour group leader, Coun Geoffrey Horrocks, was concerned that conditions of the sale might have been changed after they were agreed by the council, after details of a 20-year lease agreement appeared in sale documents.

Coun Vincent cleared up the issue saying the huts themselves had been sold, but not the ground on which they stood. It was that land which would be leased to the bungalow owners over a 20-year period - with no ground rent to pay.

Coun Vincent, leader of Wyre Council, said: “Not only will the council save money because we shan’t be paying for maintenance but I believe that the buildings will be maintained to a higher standard under private ownership and will, in fact, be more frequently used.”

Councillors made the decision to sell off the seafront huts because the cost of maintenance and repairs caused by vandalism were seen as a drain on council resources.

A plan to auction off the wooden structures was abandoned in an effort to make it easier for locals to acquire the properties. Instead, bids were invited. READ MORE: Stories that hit the headlines back in 2003Touchdown at BAE Warton for former NASA moon astronaut

A former NASA astronaut was over the moon for the Fylde coast when he landed at one of the area’s biggest employers.

David Scott, Spacecraft Commander of Apollo 15, and one of the few men to have landed on the moon, visited BAE Systems in Warton.

Mr Scott was given a tour of the prestigious Warton site by BAE Systems’ chairman, Sir Richard Evans, and Head of Communications, Gary Lydiate.

He also had the opportunity to see the revolutionary Eurofighter Typhoon in production.

Mr Scott had a family link to the area as his father, Brigadier General Tom W Scott, was Commander of the Warton site during the Second World War, when

it was operated by the American Air Force.

Mr Lydiate said: “We are delighted to welcome Mr Scott to the Warton site, and have an exciting tour planned for him.

“A member of our heritage group will be on hand to talk through just some of the changes which have been made since his father’s day, and we will also show Mr Scott some of our most innovative technology in action.”

Free flights and prize bubbly for passenger

Budget airline Ryanair clocked up a milestone - with its 200,000th passenger out of Blackpool Airport.

Debbie Tokley, from Rossall Road, Ansdell, received free flights and champagne after becoming the 200,000th to board a Ryanair flight out of Squires Gate.

She said: “I’m delighted. Ryanair is value for money.”

Ryan Air started its direct London and Dublin services from Blackpool in May 2003.

The airline operated one daily flight to and from Dublin and had two daily flights to and from London.

Ryanair’s UK sales manager Cathy Timlin said: “We are delighted to achieve this important milestone at Blackpool Airport.

“Our Dublin and London connections have proven very popular with the North West community. And, equally, we have brought many thousands of visitors to Blackpool and the surrounding region.