WORK being undertaken at this factory in East Lancashire meant that thousands of families around the country could enjoy the latest in home entertainment.

Taken in 1959 it shows highly-skilled operatives at Mullard’s Simonstone plant producing electron guns, a key component in TV sets.

They look more like scientists with their white overalls and worked in as sterile conditions as possible.

Each electron gun was checked using a range of hi-tech equipment before being deemed suitable for use in TV sets.

At the time, Mullard’s was one of East Lancashire’s biggest employers. Originally based in Blackburn - the firm was the first business to be based at the new Whitebirk Industrial Estate where at one point 6,000 people were employed. As TVs became more popular, demand for its Mullard’s electronics grew to such an extent that a second factory was opened at Simonstone.

That plant was so big Burnley council had to make provision for extra housing to be built to accommodate the workforce.

The Simonstone factory closed in 2004.