It is not often Bolton opera singers find themselves out of key - but here is a classic case.

The blonde songstress in distress is Irene Smith, a member of the town's Opera 74 group.

She is pictured here during rehearsals for its October production of Die Fledermaus, which hit the Albert Hall stage in 1990.

Appealing to co-star Emyr Wynne Jones in the shot by Derek Ralphs, Irene found herself well and truly locked up in the pair of handcuffs which were being used in act three of the German comedy opera.

However, when nobody could find the key during dress rehearsals, the actress's hands were tied.

Fortunately – according to a Bolton Evening News report of the time – a key was eventually found, allowing Irene to recover her dignity.