REMEMBER the poor mites who used to wear home-knitted trunks at the baths.

I bought an old book from Tyldesley's Lighthouse shop recently and designs in the Practical Family Knitting Illustrated must date back to the 1940s.

There are two lovely patterns for dads' and lads' swimming trunks! Those were the days.

One picture shows a teen sporting the passion killers with the caption "Enjoying the freedom of the beach in these smooth-fitting trunks. Six tabs for a belt and deep ribbing at the waistline ensure a good fit."

Not when they're wet they won't.

I remember seeing little lads sporting them at Silk Street in the 50s, and when they came out of the water the woollen gems sagged down to the knees as gallons of water poured out.

Thank goodness for Speedo!