BEFORE Sunday cinema shows started in Bolton, cinema staff worked a six-day week," writes Mr Jim McCann, of Cameron Street, Bolton.

"Sunday was the one day in the week when all the family could spend the whole day together. Sunday cinema stopped all that, but they still had a six-day week, having a day off during the week in lieu.

"The John Buckley circuit had a number of cinemas in Bolton - the Lido, Theatre Royal, Regal, Majestic, Carlton and arranged a number of events for their staff on Sunday mornings.

"One in which I took part was a bowling match on a green loaned by Farnworth Cricket Club. The managers won , but were later defeated by the Commissioners," reports Mr McCann.

"The highlights of the cinema year were the cinema staff dances at one of the smaller dance halls in the town centre, but the main one was the Cine Variety Ball at the Palais. The usherettes at the Regal mostly worked in the local mills, and changed into their evening dresses before the show closed.

"The Evening News photographer always took a photograph of the crowd in the centre of the dance floor. I appeared on a few of them. Perhaps you would print some in Looking Back."

Well, Mr McCann, I am quite happy to do so, but I cannot find any. If any other reader has such a photograph, perhaps I can borrow it for the column.