THESE photographs show a Bolton town centre that few of us can remember or recognise.

Before the building of out of town shopping centres Bolton was a bustling place with hundreds of shoppers crossing roads at any one time.

These particular pictures were taken when few people would have cars and buses, trolley buses or trams would have been the preferred mode of transport to get into the town centre.

Other people would walk to the shops and back home again carrying their bags.

Although many of the beautiful old buildings remain the town centre is not as busy as it used to be.

Middlebrook and other out of town shopping venues have led to fewer shoppers in the centre.

But for those who do venture in there are still plenty of attractions to be had.