BUG Row was the rather unflattering nickname given to a row of stone cottage-type dwellings, once the homes of local workers in a side-street with the intriguing name of Windle City.

Evidence of their existence is still to be found up by the entrance to the Pilks factory lodge at City Road.

And one who lived there up to about 40 years ago has sprung to the defence of that homely old terrace.

They were clean, hard-working folk living there, says reader G.A., who wishes to remain anonymous. "Certainly there were no bugs in our house and I lived there until I was turned 30. We were very comfortable and contented in those old houses."

His response sprang from an earlier request (this page, May 27 ) from Mike McLoughlin of Gillars Green Drive who wondered if anyone could share memories of those working-class old cottages which became unoccupied several decades ago.

NOW, I'm curious to know how that particular little side alley was granted 'city' status. Any reader able to help?

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.