LOOKING back at 1987 it is interesting to see how much has changed and how much has stayed the same in just over 20 years.

Many things featured in News Shopper that year have now become completely obsolete — video players, cassettes, Su Pollard.

However there were some things popular in 1987 which up to this year had been dismissed but are now making a comeback.

Many thought the moustache sported by Bromley Councillor Goodman in the January 8 News Shopper would never be needed again, with advances in central heating keeping upper lips warm without facial hair.

However, this year the ‘tache has been rejuvenated among young men by trendy rock bands such as Kings of Leon, and it continues to refuse to let go of the top lips of elderly women.

Fortunately the extremely tight shorts worn by Cllr Goodman on the front page of News Shopper have not had a renaissance, probably for medical reasons.

They cannot be good for a man’s chances of becoming a father.

Unfortunately some things News Shopper reported in 1987 continue to plague newspaper pages in 2009, such as knife crime.

In February 1987, there was a report of police and politicians meeting to “plan how to reduce the number of people carrying knives” as attacks increased in south-east London.

News Shopper readers will know knife crime is currently worse than ever, with Rob Knox and Jimmy Mizen just two of the young people stabbed to death in Britain last year.

It seems no matter what year it is, there are people who are evil.

In July 1987, there was a “crazed cat killer” on the loose in Alderwood Road, Eltham.

News Shopper reported two cats belonging to different owners “collapsed screaming and panting” before dying.

One had a note attached to its collar saying: “Your cat is the next to visit the hospital ward. Hope he doesn’t survive.”

Police and RSPCA said the cats had been poisoned and suspected a cruel neighbour of their owners.