SEEMINGLY, you didn't dial m for murder on a gadget made by a Darwen firm but 6 for a pint!

The machine was called a Genie and, like magic, your drink would appear if you used its automatic dialling system.

It was made, we've heard, by Millington and Boardman, which existed in the 1960s and used in the Flag pub at Bromley Cross.

The Pub History Society now want to find out more and have enlisted readers' help.

Said member Steve Williams: "Do any readers remember anything about this firm or the Genie?

"To use the system, the customer dialled two digits on an old-fashioned telephone dial to select the required drink; 06 would tell the waiter to bring a pint of bitter, 04 would bring forth a mild, while 22 would provide you with a grapefruit juice!

"The menu at the time listed over 80 different drinks and we'd love to hear from anyone with any more details."