THIS week’s photographs show a picturesque area that you could be forgiven for thinking looks like a spot in the middle of the countryside.

As many of our readers will know this is Barrow Bridge in Bolton when the area was a popular tourist spot and a place visited regularly by local people looking for somewhere to spend time away from their long working lives in the local mills.

Barrow Bridge offered a calm and relaxing place for families to spent time — as we can see in our large picture it was a great area for families to enjoy a spot of fishing — without costing money which was in short supply.

For those who do not recall a time when Barrow Bridge could draw the crowds it is hard to imagine this little enclave within Bolton filled to capacity with families carrying picnic baskets.

Most people would arrive on the bus and spend the day enjoying the boating lake and refreshments which were on offer.