In 1893, the British Independent Labour Party was formed by Keir Hardie. He later became one of the first two Labour Members of Parliament and was an MP for 18 years in West Ham, London, and in Merthyr Tydfill in Wales. He died in Glasgow in 1915.

In 1975, a freak whirlwind hit Flintham in Nottinghamshire, leaving a trail of destruction.

In 2000, scientists at the University of Liverpool claimed that women were programmed to bear the children of tall men. They discovered that bachelors are on average three centimetres shorter than husbands.

25 Years Ago

From the Telegraph & Argus of January 13, 1982...One of the oldest established jewellers in Bradford has closed. Fowler and Oldfield, of Kirkgate, was founded in 1936, but spiralling costs have forced the last owner of the company to put it into voluntary liquidation.

50 Years Ago

From the Telegraph & Argus of January 13, 1957...Further tests were made today in a car powered by a synthetic off-ration petrol made to a secret formula by the Otley firm, Kepec Co. (England), Ltd, chemical manufacturers, Gay Lane. Colonel Stoddart Scott, MP for Ripon, made the tests and will ask the Minister of Power to give permission for it to go into production.