DID barrage balloons ever soar into the St Helens skies during the Blitz? The question is posed by aviation buff Keith Atherton of Billinge who can trace no record of this. He writes: "Can any reader recall any such happening? If so, I'd be extremely grateful if they would please let me know exactly where".

Keith, from St Mary's Avenue, flies off in another direction in wondering whether anyone has photographs taken at our local air displays during the 1930s. Extremely popular between the two world wars, the public could then enjoy a five-bob flip.

Air ace Alan Cobham recorded putting on a two-day show in a field at Bold during April, 1935 (later part of a power station site).

Miss Edith Carter and Miss M. A. Williams, members of Sutton Historic Society, have provided Keith with some welcome back-up details. And Harold Bragg recalled Rainhill air displays, around 1935, 1936 or 1937, in a field between St Helens Road and Longton Lane.

But, alas, no pictures have been forthcoming . Anyone able to lend Keith pictorial evidence, for him to copy for researches? He's also keen to know whether the record-breaking plane (DH60M VH-UQA) of C. W. A. Scott came to Rainhill two months before it crashed at Hanworth on August 20, 1936.

IF you can help, then please drop a line to Whalley's World.