AT the turn of the last century every town and village in East Lancashire would have had at least one and - in larger towns - a number of blacksmiths and farriers.

These skilled craftsmen played a vital part in keeping industry and every day life running smoothly as the horse was an essential part of so many aspects.

These skilled metals workers were also known to turn their hands to most things from giant springs and parts to keep machinery in the mills running to more domestic items such as locks, hinges and gates.

As the world became more mechanised and lorries and cars started to take over the streets, there was less reliance on horse-drawn vehicles and the number of smithies dwindled.

But even in the mid 1950s when some of these pictures were taken, blacksmiths were still providing a vital service across East Lancashire.