A FIGHT or two and a cautionary clip around the ear were all part of a night's work for a Leigh policeman in the 1950s.

And retired PC Tommy Humphreys still laughs when he remembers what a bobby's job was like on the Plank Lane beat.

Great-grandparents Mr Humphreys, 82, and his 81 years-old wife, Millie, have just celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary and he recalled when keeping the peace was a lot different than it is today.

"After the war I joined Lancashire County police force after serving five years in the Royal Air Force. We had a new council house in Mount Street and enjoyed living off Plank Lane.

"I had a fight or two down there, too," he recalled with a smile, "but that's how you sorted some things out then. A belt around the ear'ole from a bobby often nipped trouble in the bud."

Born in Glazebury, Mr Humphreys was brought-up in the Holden Road area of Leigh, near to where he and his wife now live, and after leaving Leigh Grammar School took a job as a shop assistant, then as a bus conductor before joining the RAF. He was a constable at Leigh, Bacup, Atherton and Tyldesley and retired from the service in 1973 on the eve of the formation of Greater Manchester Police force.

His Nottingham born wife, Millie, moved to Leigh and worked at Booths' Mill before leaving to raise sons Arthur and Stuart and daughter Susan. They have five grandchildren and a great grandchild.