A 16-year-old held a fake gun to the head of a shop manageress at Threshers on Lidgett Lane as his pal filmed the terrifying ordeal - then told police it was a joke. The youth pointed the pistol at the terrified staff worker and ordered her to hand over cash before running off empty-handed. The pair then returned to the shop to tell police the raid was a joke and that the gun was a water pistol. This was December 2002 and the memory is one of 22 photos plucked from Yorkshire Post archive charting life around Moortown in the early 2000s. Landmarks, shops, restaurants and pubs are featured as well as other news stories making the headlines in the first three years of the dawn of a new millennium. READ MORE: 31 meticulous photos take you back to Moortown in the 1990s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
1. Moortown in the early 2000s
Thresher Wine Shop on Lidgett Lane pictured in December 2002. | YPN Photo: YPN
2. Moortown in the early 2000s
Ronnie and Joan Jay with dancers at Moortown Social Club. Pictured in October 2003. | Mel Hulme Photo: Mel Hulme
3. Moortown in the early 2000s
Leeds RL legend Ellery Hanley pictured playing squash at the David Lloyd Sports Centre in September 2003. | Tony Johnson Photo: Tony Johnson
4. Moortown in the early 2000s
July 2003 and Moortown Golf Club had entered into a partnership with Defra to restore traditional heathland which was once characterised the course. Pictured a golfer finds himself in the rough between the heather as Andy Mackintosh, Defra project manager, looks on. | Gerard Binks Photo: Gerard Binks
5. Moortown in the early 2000s
Arnold Ziff s grandson Jacob takes the controls to demolish old properties at the site of a new housing project on Queenshill Avenue in June 2003. | Peter Langford Photo: Peter Langford
6. Moortown in the early 2000s
April 2003 and Emmerdale's Chris Chittell opens the refurbished Marks & Spencer store with help from manager Karen Hulbert. | Jonathan Gawthorpe Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe