Stories that gripped Croydon in 1988

CLOUDS of chemical dust swept over a school, forcing 200 children to take cover behind sealed windows and doors.

Firefighters and street cleaners were called to the roads outside St Peter's School in Normanton Road, South Croydon, to wash away the dust.

Government officials were investigating how the clouds, containing lime and calcium oxide, had blown from a nearby industrial site.

No one was injured.

TWO young couples were celebrating after sharing a massive win on the Pools.

George Jamieson, 20, and Jane Fryer, 19, of Upper Grove, South Norwood, decided to use their £215,068.45 to get married.

George's colleague Colin Singers and wife Josie, both 27, from New Addington, decided to buy a new home with their share.

Warehouse man George said: "It will be the wedding we never dreamed of."

A PENSIONER had a miraculous escape when her car overturned in Purley after colliding with a van.

Eleanor Harding, 61, of Castelmaine Avenue, Croydon, escaped the crash with only cuts, bruising and shock.

But the van driver was not so lucky and had to be taken to Mayday with a broken arm.

CARS were set to be completely banned from Croydon's North End shopping area.

The complete bar on all through traffic except buses was set to form the central plank of new proposals for the town centre.

Although no firm decision had been made, traders and council leaders welcomed the move after proposals for full pedestrianisation were rejected in 1987.

TOP council bosses were given a 16.5 per cent pay rise.

The pay packet boost for 21 top officers pushed up salaries to between £24,000 and £37,000.

Unions said the rises should be passed down through the pay scale and not just given to top officers.

The council defended its pay rises, saying it would keep Croydon competitive when it came to hiring people.

BOLLARDS in Bensham Lane caused controversy after Thornton Heath traders said they were putting them out of business.

Shopkeepers said the structures, designed to stop cars pulling up on the pavement to park, were driving loyal customers away.

Croydon Glassworks owner Greg Rose said the bollards were also causing traffic chaos and discouraging people from picking up glass supplies.