WHEN this "bucket brigade" of good neighbours, left, took to the street in Blackburn 38 years ago this month, East Lancashire was still deep in the grip of the coldest winter since the 19th century, writes Michael Simpson.

For, after the temperature plummeted on December 22, 1962, the region went on to suffer the highest number of freezing days and nights on record - 66 in all - before a thaw finally arrived at the beginning of the following March.

And all throughout February - when this picture was taken of water carriers was taken in Elm Street, Little Harwood, - there was no let up in the coldest winter since 1878-79.

They were dealing with the winter's biggest misery - frozen pipes which left thousands of homes without water and dependent on supplies from street standpipes or water tankers.

But with half the homes in Elm Street with water and the rest without for six whole weeks, those with supplies rallied round to aid the "frozen-up" households.

"It is sad to see old folk hobbling down the street to collect their water from a cart," said shopkeeper Mrs Elsie Pilkington, centre, who organised the "brigade".

Older residents often couldn't even make it down the street - as Mr Richard Plaice, 80, said: "The weather often prevents old folk from going out and many are unable to get their daily supply. If people hadn't been kind and brought water into my home, we would have been without."