IT is a rather uncommon sight to see a man or a woman trying to climb up a steep hill penny farthing bicycle in this day and age.

However this would have been a regular view over the hills in and around Burnley when the Zingari Cycling Club were out in force.

Zingari, the Italian word for 'gypsies', referred to its members desire to wander freely while out on their cycles.

The group was popular in the 1890s and many of its members had penny farthings, which was coming to the end of its popularity, being replaced with more modern bikes with the same sized wheels.

The penny-farthing was a direct-drive bicycle, meaning the cranks and pedals are fixed directly to the hub and are not equipped with gears.

The larger wheels on a penny farthing meant the steep gradients of East Lancashire would be manageable.

To stop on a penny farthing, the rider would press back on the pedals while applying pressure on a spoon-shaped brake pressing on the tire.

The centre of mass being high meant any sudden or stop or collision with a pothole meant the rider would be thrown forward over the handlebars.

On downhill descents, riders would hook their feet over the handlebars.

This gave them more speed but would mean there was no chance to stop or quickly change direction if needed.