CINEMAS hold a special place in most people's hearts when it comes to remembering the good old days.

And reader Mrs Sheelagh McMahon, of Shireburn Avenue, Clitheroe, has sent in memories of the former Star Picture Palace in Little Harwood, Blackburn.

She thought it would be interesting for us to feature Mr Edward Taylor, who eventually became the oldest holder of a Cinema licence in Blackburn.

Mrs McMahon believes Mr Taylor was the proprietor of the Star form the early 1900s to the 1930s.

The purpose-built cinema still stands and has been converted into a mosque. During the last quarter of a century it was Unit Four Cinemas and later a nightclub.

Mrs McMahon came across Mr Taylor when she was tracing her family history and she discovered he was related to her great great grandmother .

She describes him as "a good example of a northern self-made man, a Victorian entrepreneur".

Mr Taylor's family, who later became cotton mill workers, originated in Brinscall around 1800. He was born in the Bank Top area of Blackburn in 1869 and by 1891 was working in his father's pub the Corporation Arms, at 116 Bank Top, where he later became landlord.

In 1910 he went into partnership with David Strong and between them they ran the Star Picture Palace.

It was the first specially built picture house in Blackburn situated on the site of an old gravel pit.

Mr Strong had left the partnership by the end the the First World War.

Mr Taylor died in 1957. He lived in a large semi-detached house called Rosamund in Whalley New Road.

In his later years he moved to Whinney Lane.

Mrs McMahon says she would be interested to know if any of Mr Taylor's family still live in the Blackburn area.