THE town hall clock in Burnley approached midday when this picture was taken on May 12, 1937.

It stood decorated for the coronation of King George VI and reflected the patriotic mood of the town.

The new king had been unexpectedly propelled into the position of monarch following the abdication of his older brother, Edward VIII in 1936.

Despite the shock which came in the aftermath of his abdication it did not shake the patriotic feeling of the nation attached toward the monarchy at the time.

Banners proclaiming 'God Save the King' and 'God Save Our King and Queen' were seen as genuine expressions of the feelings of the majority of people in England.

Hanging over the entrance to Burnley's town hall were cameo portraits of the new King and Queen, who would go onto visit Burnley the following year.

Burnley did not simply mark the 1937 coronation with a decorative town hall.

The tram office in St James's Street was draped in a colourful and patriotic way with bunting, flags and streamers seen in abundance.

Someone with an artistic eye adapted the red, white and blue chains to the shape of the building.

There were also portraits in the centre of the station, those of the King and Queen, flanked by the young princesses.