THE Mail joined the internet age 20 years ago today with the launch of its new website bringing all latest local, national and international news.

It was noted: "Updated daily, this exciting source of information contains specific pages on Barrow, Ulverston and Millom with news of villages throughout Furness and South Cumbria.

"The sports section of the site has already proved to be a big hit, with the very latest stories from football and rugby league."

We are taking a look at some of the stories and pictures which featured in The Mail and on its new website back on October 28 in 1999.

A £393,000 Heritage Lottery Fund windfall was to be used as part of a £2m pot of cash to bring the former Barrow Technical College, on Abbey Road, back into use after standing almost empty for seven years.

It would be used for the arts, a registrar’s department and education offices for Cumbria County Council.

Askam and Ireleth residents were complaining about noise pollution from a new £3.5m wind turbine development and environmental health officials were being brought in over claims of 90-decibel sound levels at homes in Saves Lane.

Barrow Border Raiders rugby league club wanted to sign Australian centre Andrew Lambert.

Barrow AFC manager Kenny Lowe failed in a bid to tempt Carlisle midfielder Richard Prokas to come to Holker Street on a loan deal.

Young stars of Furness Catholic Amateur Boxing Club were featured at an open event ahead of an annual dinner and boxing bouts to be held at Forum 28 in Barrow.

Fashion traders Maelstrom was about to open a store on Dalton Road, Barrow, and was seeking staff.

You could earn £3.82 per hour as a sales assistant.

Prizes went to successful entrants in The Mail's Design-an-Ad competition at a presentation ceremony held at Forum 28.

The Overall winner was Ryan Warner, 10, of Lindal and Marton School.

He won a £200 bicycle for himself and a computer for his school.

Former Chelsea and Englnd international football player Peter Osgood was the guest speaker at a sportsmans' dinner held at the Braddylls Arms, Bardsea.

All the money raised from the event was to go to Barrow AFC.

Walney newsagents Rajesh and Baulabkia Patel sponsored a poetry competition with book tokens as prizes.

Children from South Walney Junior School took part and the winner was Kurt McKinnell, with runner-ups Reece Edwards and Kay Pearson.

Rajesh said: "The children put a lot of effort into it and there were some really good poems."

Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau, in Abbey Road, received a £3,372 cheque from the Barrow Area Committee of Cumbria County Council to provide advice and support on money matters.

It was accepted by money advice support worker Lynne Neill  from Cllr Alan Nicholson and Cllr Jeff Garnett.

There was school half-term fun at Ulverston Leisure Centre where young rugby league players were given coaching sessions by Chris Brookshaw.