BIG handbags were obviously very much in vogue when this happy gang of lasses, pictured right, set off on a day trip to Blackpool in the early 1970s.

Like many things these days, most handbags have since become somewhat miniaturised, but the ones displayed here could carry just about everything, including the kitchen sink!

Reader Annie Walker, now a well-known committee woman at Moss Bank Labour Club, forwarded this memory-jerking snapshot, explaining: "Most of the ladies worked at Rockware and the photo was taken outside the Rockware Club, now known as Shaw Street Social, in about 1972 or 73."

The mini-skirt was also in fashion at the time, but only one lass among this day-outing two dozen (she's pictured extreme left) seemed brave enough to sport one!

The smiling group group includes Annie, her three sisters and mum, together with sister-in-law Kitty Stenson.

Other fondly-recalled members of the old gang, kindly listed by Annie, include Jean Thwaites, Bronya Price, R. Hindley, Jean Cook, Lily Taylor, Mother Stenson, Celia Burrows, Margaret Goldthorpe, Anita Welsby, Lizzie Holmes, Hannah Burke, Jean Wright, Peggy Ellison, Kath Quinn, Ruby Whitfield and Linda Burrows.

A HAPPY glance back to pre-package-holiday times when a day at the seaside was as big a highlight of the summer months as a fortnight in Benidorm is now!