MANY of us will remember being able to play safely in the streets when we were children.

There was a time before televisions, computers and games’ consoles and entertainment had to be sought outside of the home rather than inside.

Back streets were popular playings spots and it would seem from this photograph taken in a Bolton back street in 1950 that tiny tots got up to all sorts of mucky play.

It does look like a danger zone and health and safety would have something to say today.

In the smaller picture we see another Bolton back street — Back Cheapside in the 1890s.

This town centre street is close to Victoria Square but in the 19th century it was also home to many.

Not only would there be businesses in the street there would also be family homes so children would be seen playing out on the cobbles.