AS a Lancashire Telegraph columnist, Margo Grimshaw has often made her views known about law and order.

But now the lady of Toad Hall, near Samlesbury, has come up with an old-fashioned method of punishment for drunken revellers in Blackburn centre - a pair of original wooden stocks.

The stocks, which have held pride of place in her garden for the past 30 years, are now being offered for sale at Samlesbury Hall.

She said: “They could be a brilliant deterrent. I do believe that they used to belong to the corporation many years ago, so we could re-introduce them into Blackburn with Darwen town centre and anyone who causes trouble on a Saturday night could be put in them.

“I’m sure people would be queueing up to throw wet sponges at them.”

Margo bought the stocks in a sale at Samlesbury Hall to entertain friends and family over the years. She added: “I’ve offered the stocks to the hall because I don’t want them to fall into disrepair.

"They are still in brilliant condition despite having been out in all weathers. I’ve no idea how old they are. They could be as much as 500 years old, but they’re definitely authentic. I want them to be appreciated by people, that’s why I’m offering them to Samlesbury Hall.”

Stocks were used as a form of physical punishment and humiliation until 1872.