TRAPP Forge in Simonstone is one of the few real working forges still left in East Lancashire.

A family business, the blacksmith's was first established more than 50 years ago, when Ron Carter changed his hobby into his daily bread.

His decision to strike out on a new path came in the 1950s, when Spar Cotton Mill, where he was manager, in Spar Street, Padiham, closed down in the textile slump.

Born in 1917 - he served in the Second World War as a sergeant in the Marines and saw service in the North Africa campaign - he was a fit 40-something, thanks to his years as a physical training instructor in the Army.

Ron and his wife Sheila bought the property at 1, Whins Lane In Simonstone, where he opened his forge in a garage he built for the purpose.

At the same time, Sheila opened a shop, selling groceries - her milkshakes were favourites among the local youngsters.

As business flourished he bought a piece of land from Burnley Corporation and in 1964 built a family home with an attached forge, opening a showroom six years later.

A former student of the Royal College of Art, Sheila was an integral part of the business, responsible for designing in intricate detail the pieces of ironwork that were ordered from across the world.

One of her designs was this candle lamp presented to the British Red Cross, to commemorate its 125th anniversary in 1995.

Using a ram's head as its signature trademark, Trapp Forge has forged wrought iron gates for Trinity College, Cambridge, the Manhatten Brewery Company, Lytham Hall, St Bartholomew's Hospital and the Royal Honourable Artillery, both in London.

In 1977, her Silver Jubilee year, Ron and Sheila presented the Queen with a pair of ram's head fire dogs for Sandringham Castle and in 1981 made a fire grate for Highgrove as a wedding present from the people of Lancashire for Prince Charles and Diana.

He also forged the Ribble Valley coat of arms in 1988.

Ron carried on working until the day he died in 1999 and today the forge is run by his son Bill, who began learning the skill at the tender age of seven.

A shop, which closed 20 years ago, has just been reopened and festive forging demonstrations are taking place on November 26 and 27 and December 3 and 4, where visitors can see traditional blacksmithing skills.