SATURDAY, May 28, 1966, was just another day for most people - but others will remember it as the day Burnley's old market hall was reduced to rubble.

It was 96 years old and the entrance was so well built, dynamite was needed to bring it down.

The building was of classical style, with wrought iron gates guarding the entrance, and the carved head of a bull overhead.

It was designed by James Greene, of Portsmouth, near Todmorden, who was also responsible for the Mechanics Institute.

The late local historian Leslie Chapples recalled some of the characters, scenes and activities that became an integral part of the Burnley market in his lifetime.

Some of the stalls still going strong in the 60s were part of the market family, and were there in the reign of Queen Victoria.

For instance, William Harrison had a china stall back in 1870 and was succeeded by four generations.

Others who can trace their roots back to the 19th century included Lupton's book stall, Marshall's furnishers, Wells and Veevers florists, Crawshaw's dining rooms, later to become Holden's and Birkett's musical instruments.

It was George Holden who took over Holden's cafe.

He had stood the open market with his father Richard in pre-war days, selling eggs and poultry.

On being drafted into the forces, he had learnt the art of cooking and subsequently acquired the tenancy, in order to pass on his skills by developing a progressive cafe.

In the period between the wars, the name Tom Redman became synonymous with high-class bacon and ham.

He opened a grocery shop in Padiham Road after the First World War and this led to other branches springing up throughout the area.

Tom also had close links with Lowerhouse Cricket Club.

In the mid 1920s there were three sweet stalls, Manleys Heys and Turner and Wainwright.

They were followed by Duerden's, who specialised in their own brand of toffee, while Cunliffe Hacking had a biscuit stall and sent large quantities to the troops in the trenches.

Pork butcher George Haffner opened a stall in the market in the 1890s, after first having a shop in Yorkshire street.

During the First World War his shop was attacked because of his German origins.

But little did the vandals know that his son, George, was serving in the British Army, having been wounded twice and awarded the Military Medal and the Belgian Croix de Guerre.

Son George lived until he was 92 and was a local councillor.