PUTTING food on the table was not so straightforward when Allan Crossley was a child.

Allan (72), who now lives in Little Lever, wrote down some of his recollections of life as a youngster living on Knob Row, off Bolton Road.

He lived there with his parents and younger sister Sylvia, at around the time of the Second World War.

Rationing meant that food was basic and limited, although there were means of getting a little extra.

Following school every day, it would be Allan's responsibility to go to Carrs Farm, where he would help with milking and collecting eggs.

There he learned how to lead a horse, and often went home with sore and wet legs.

"The eggs helped me get back on the right side of mam," he said.

"I also had a Saturday job at Fosters Butchers, delivering orders, scraping bones and skinning sheeps' heads to make 'slavvery duck'."

At this time, farmers could have their farms confiscated for selling black market produce, and as a result would lose their livelihood.

However, the tough penalties were not enough to deter participants in an illegal trade that was hard to detect.

Said Allan: "Who could know if a sow had ten piglets in a litter or twelve? There were ways and means of doing things."

The local greengrocer Demaine's sold vegetables, and occasionally oranges and bananas.

Allan said: "A queue formed like wildfire until all the oranges and bananas were sold. Only one orange and one banana per person.

"We never saw chocolates and sweets, because they were reserved for our soldiers."

"For Sunday, mam was able to buy a locally caught rabbit that she stuffed and roasted like chicken."

Sunday was the day for the children to go to Sunday school, which they attended at Black Moss.

During the week there were extra sessions to rehearse for a Nativity play.

It was one Christmas that the family received a special treat.

"Before the war, mam and dad had made friends with a Mr and Mrs Riley who lived at Black Dyke Farm, Arnside.

"It was from them that we received a goose stuffed with apples for Christmas.

"It came by post, which speaks well for the honesty of the Post Office."