REGARDING the recent recollections of washing lines strung across back streets, during the war, I was a very young worker at Church gasworks.

Coke was a by-product which we used to deliver to houses and small works.

Our lorry had a large balloon on the top of the cab and it was filled daily with coal gas, which used to power the vehicle all day.

Yes, we had to knock on back doors to ask householders to take the washing line in. Back gates were never locked in those days because people were more honest then.

During the cold winter people used to queue in the gasworks yard -- as many as 100 at a time -- for a weekly allowance of 28lbs of coke to eke out their coal ration (no central heating).

Incidentally, there was a tar well at the works, with safety rails and an inspection plate. When a child developed whooping cough the father used to lift the child over the rail, and hold it upside down to inhale the fumes.

I shudder to think what would have happened if the child had slipped.

FRANCIS CROSS (Mr), Royds Street, Accrington.