REGARDING your 'Looking Back' article on the Accrington Hippodrome and comedian Frank Randle's effort to save it in 1954 (LET, January 24), I worked at the theatre in 1946-47 in a second job at nights, from 6-10.30pm, six nights a week.

I was paid 12s 6d (62p) per week for operating one of two 'limes' - spotlights that contained carbide sticks which, when an electric charge was passed through, emitted a light so bright that you could be blinded by looking at it.

I worked from 7.45am to 5pm at Church Gasworks, shovelling coal and coke. You can imagine the dash I had to wash and have tea and be on time for the show at the Hippodrome at six o'clock.

I have seen many of the old time greats, who had to work their socks off to entertain a first house of maybe 50 people.

Frank Randle played the character of a lecherous old man to perfection and, although you never heard a swear word (unlike today), his observation of: "I bet thy'r a hot un, Gloria" always brought a hearty guffaw from the male audience.

He was truly a genius whose ideas were far too innovative for the 1950s' generation.

For he planned indoor whippet racing, wrestling, boxing and many other ideas that, sadly, never came to fruition. I, for one, sadly mourn his passing.

FRANCIS CROSS (Mr), Royds Street, Accrington.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.