NOT much evidence of designer gear, sports tops or trainers in this peep-back picture (below). For it was taken during an era when fiercely masculine overcoats, flat caps, serge suits and starched white collars represented leisure-time attire for the man blessed with a mighty thirst.

This flicker back to gaslamp and cobbled-street times features a gang of arm-benders from the Exchange pub at St Helens (better known as 'Chessies', because members of the Chesworth clan between them held the licence for donkey's years).

The regulars are about to set off on a coach day-trip (date unknown) and unless my old eyes deceive me, that's landlord Jack Chesworth, standing extreme left, in the snazzy Fair Isle jumper.

ONE thing's for certain, this likely lot wouldn't have allowed too many pints to go flat!