THE sinew-stretching slog to the summit of Shear Brow on a bicycle certainly brought out the spectators.

In fact so many people lined the slope during the 1951 and 1952 hill climbs, the police put a stop to the proceedings after just two years.

It had originally been organised to celebrate the centenary of Blackburn, but the thousands who watched the challenges, caused so much disruption to local transport and trade, that the event was banned.

Move the clock forward 10 years and the North Lancashire Road Club were granted permission to resurrect the climb as part of Blackburn Carnival, but this time up the 1 in 6 cobble mountain that is better known as Oozehead Lane!

The climbs were staged in 1963, 1964 and 1965; barriers kept the crowds back and Church Street watchmaker Bill Turner, who looked after the cathedral clock agreed to time the challenge, using new electronics.

Event secretary was road club member Ken Hartley, who was then riding at international level and is still cycling today at 75.

He recalled: "A magic eye' started the clock when the first wheel moved over it, but I remember one year chasing a dog which was running round, in a bid to prevent it crossing the line - but it did!"

Sponsored by Dutton's Brewery during its three years, the challenge attracted top hill climbers from both home and abroad, including Olympic cyclists, such as Karl Barton, who had won a silver medal in Melbourne.

Among those who rode in 63 were Eric Wilson, of Rossendale, who held the English hill climb title and Howard Walmsley, of Blackburn, who was the best prospect for the stamina-testing course at the age of 19.

The North Lancashire Road Club's hill climb champion, this photograph shows him on a practice run in which he returned a time of 58.6 seconds for the 300-yard course.