ON THIS DAY

60 years ago (1959)

Our front page reported the Turkish Prime Minister Adnan Menderes was among the survivors of a plane crash in Surrey in which 12 people died. The premier was travelling to London for the Cyprus peace talks when the Vicount jet crashed in fog after being diverted from Heathrow to Gatwick. He initiated a new peace agreement between Greek, British and Cypriot leaders from hospital.

38 years ago (1981)

Margaret Thatcher reversed plans to shut 23 pits to avoid a national miners’ strike in a deal agreed with the National Union of Mineworkers’ President Joe Gormley.

But it was only a temporary reprieve as in 1984 the Government announced it would go ahead with the closures, leading to a bitter year-long dispute.

14 years ago (2005)

The hunting ban came into force making it illegal to hunt foxes with dogs in England and Wales. Fox hunting was replaced with trail hunting where hounds follow an artificial scent.

A recent poll found 85 per cent of the British public continue to support the ban.