THE last few days have finally reminded us that summer is well and truly here and with schools preparing the break up, the main family holiday season is fast approaching.

We thought it fitting to head into the archives and dig out some photos which showed East Lancashire folk making the most of their summer break.

The annual wakes weeks - basically the time when an entire town would shut down as the major employers usually the mills - would close to allow essential maintenance to take place, would signal a mass exodus. Blackpool was always the number one destination with crowds packing the prom and taking to the beaches.

Special trains were laid on to transport the thousands of holidaymakers to the coast. Each town in East Lancashire would have a different week during the summer.

Do you have any photos of your wakes weeks holidays with the family? Share them with Looking Back by emailing bygones@nqnw.co.uk