A trip of the baths was very often part of the school week for youngsters growing up in Bolton.

Moss Street Baths, Bolton, May 1967 (Picture: Newsquest)Regardless of area of town you lived in, it’s likely there was a public swimming baths relatively close by.

So armed with your costumes, towel and all important rubber swimming cap, generations of schoolchildren would line up in the early morning outside the baths.

They were where the majority of Bolton folk would learn to swim. Many might even have progressed to basic life saving.

Then when the school holidays came, the baths were where you would meet your friends and have a good time.

Over the years, the number of public facilities have been cut back but we have been into the archives to dig out some photos of some of the public baths around the area.

And, by way of contrast, we’ve also included a picture from the Last Drop showing how posh pools became an aspirational leisure activity.

What are your memories of your local baths? Any photos? Leave a comment