A BLACKBURN-BUILT machine was described by a rubber manufacturer as "a complete breakthrough for our industry."

Mr William Stephenson, managing director of Gillibrands Rubber Manufacturers Ltd, of Grimshaw Park, Blackburn, was referring to a high pressure rubber injection moulding machine he bought from engineers Foster, Yates and Thom Ltd.

This picture, taken on June 12, 1969, shows company bosses with the new machine. Mr Stephenson said he agreed to allow the makers to put it on show at the International Plastics Exhibition at Olympia, London, from June 18 to 28.

Delighted with its performance, he said: "I shall visit the exhibition myself and can certainly testify to the machine's qualities. This is a very difficult bonding operation, but the machine does it extremely successfully."