A LIFELONG mystery was solved for former Radcliffe lad Jim Ball, when he read our recent feature on the town's market halls.

Jim (67), who lived in Railway Street, Radcliffe, as a child, has long had a picture of himself cuddling a cat on the steps of a large building but never knew where it was.

It is a treasured possession, and was mounted on to a dish as a present from his daughter.

Jim was originally told that the picture was taken on the steps at Radcliffe market hall. But only being familiar with the current hall, which has no steps, he had never believed that was where it was.

It came as a revelation to Jim that an older market hall demolished in 1937 had been the building in question.

Jim, who now lives in Bury, said: "It was only when I saw the article that I realised that was where my picture was taken.

" It has puzzled me for a long time. I don't know who the cat belonged to."