LOCAL folk were facing a water crisis in 1946 because of a major drought.

Reservoirs were down to danger points, while a sharp drop in canal levels brought water-borne traffic to a standstill.

To prevent the canal running dry, and thus stopping work at the many factories which used its water, the operation of the locks was suspended.

It meant traffic had come to a standstill on the Burnley to Skipton stretch of the Leeds Liverpool.

Six reservoirs, including four in Foulridge, which topped up the waterway were empty. Indeed, at Foulridge, cows were grazing on the beds.

Families were warned to use water sparingly, with Burnley having only 90 days’ supplies left and Colne only 34.

The Irwell Valley water Board had 36 days’ supply and warned it would take many weeks of rain to bring Clowbridge and Cloughbottom reservoirs up to a safe level.