UNLIKE Birmingham Bags or ra-ra skirts, the tie is one of the few fashion items which have stood the test of time.

It has evolved into one of the most crucial accessories in the male wardrobe - an item which is probably noticed first, is the subject of many a conversation and reveals a great deal about the wearer's personality.

The Great British Tie will celebrate its 110th birthday on Friday and, to celebrate, the Guild of British Tie Makers has enlisted the help of the Prime Minister John Major and members of his Cabinet. They have selected a tie of their choice to wear during British Tie Week from 24 to 30 March to encourage the nation's menfolk to review their collections and contemplate more exciting up-to-the-minute additions.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph met the tie-wearing public in Blackburn to find out about their tie habits - or lack of them!

Blackburn bobby PC GRAHAM DAVIES, 39, can't stand them. The father-of-three said: "I only wear them for work, christenings, funerals and marriages. I have to wear a tie all day because of my police uniform but I hate them."

He admits to having only one or two ties in his collection and even revealed that he once owned a yellow and gold one in the '70s.

He said: "I don't dress very smartly these days. I don't need to dress to impress the women any more.

"But I don't think ties will completely disappear. "People will always wear them and they are a bit more imaginative these days."

Staff at Blackburn College certainly agree with that.

The wackiest, snazziest tie in the land is on the curriculum every day for staff in the college's technology faculty, who try to outdo each other with weird and wonderful neck arrangements. But many agree that the Dean, JOHN GREEN, comes out on top.

John, 52, who has an entire collection of Mickey Mouse ties, said: "Wacky ties have become a bit of a cult thing in this office.

"It's a competition to see who can wear the most outrageous tie.

"I even wear a Mickey Mouse tie for management meetings within the faculty.

"They just cheer things up." Sporting a paisley tie, plumbing lecturer at the college PETER HAYES, 54, never feels fully dressed without a tie.

"They complement your outfit and make you look smart," he said.

"Although I was once given a disgusting tie by friends in Denmark which was covered in snowflakes and had a pint of snow beer on it."

Peanuts the dog and Sonic the Hedgehog are two favourites of the college's resource manager 49-year-old PETER HOLDEN.

"I think I was born with a tie on," said Peter. "I went into a pub with one of my favourite ties on and I was asked by the barmaid if I had underpants to match.

"My wife asked me if I always got that reaction to my ties."

Lecturer NICK GREGSON, who once taught English as a foreign language at a military camp in Kuwait, said: "We were forced to stay in the camp longer than we had to and morale was very low so we used to have this competition to find who could get hold of the craziest tie as a morale boosting exercise!"

ARTHUR ASTIN, who has emigrated to Sydney, Australia, was caught on a visit to Blackburn to see his relatives and undertake some research work. Wearing a Blackpool Coat of Arms tie, Arthur, 66, said: "Ties hark back to the old mentality when it was people were expected to look smart and tidy.

"I don't like the scruffy attitude modern people take to dress."

DAVID BURY, 23, security guard at British Home Stores, Blackburn, and part-time DJ, said: "Only two per cent of people who go clubbing wear ties these days. They are just not in any more with the younger generation."

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