THE annual Wakes Week’s holiday was a double reason for folks in Bolton to celebrate.

For many it meant their annual trip to the seaside, usually Blackpool. But for those who stayed behind, the annual shutdown of the mills meant that for a week at least the chimneys that dominated the town skyline were not belching out thick smoke.

This photo was taken during the annual summer shutdown in July 1949 and the Bolton Evening News at the time was prompted to remark “Today’s clear atmosphere, almost smokeless, enabled this view of Bolton to be taken”.

It was taken from Nebo Street between Deane Road and St Helens Road. You can see the town hall clock tower in the distance towards the middle of the picture with the parish church to the right.

But just look how many mill chimneys there were - you can count at least 20. And now they have virtually all been demolished.