MEMORIES of fun-filled nights on the "dance trains" to Blackpool are to be preserved for posterity.

Linda Moore, who manages the community Information and Communications Technology programme at Westhoughton High School, wants to hear from Looking Back readers who remember happy trips in the 1950s and before.

Volunteers will record their recollections on video and a CD will then be produced which could be used for educational purposes in the future.

Linda is excited at the prospect of learning more about a little-researched local phenomenon.

She told me: "I found it almost impossible to find documented memories or evidence of this interesting part of northern social history.

"I believe the research could be great fun. It would include such things as fashion, music, dance transport as well as social behaviour.

"I also believe that it is important to record this information before we lose it."

Linda knows that young people from Bolton and other Lancashire towns would make the 2s 6d trip to Blackpool on Friday and Saturday nights for a dance at the famous Tower Ballroom.

She said: "These trains were packed as young people from the industrial towns set off for a good night out.

"Apparently, all manner of behaviour took place on these trains.

"Young men would sleep on the luggage racks on the return journey.

"My initial research has revealed what lively journeys these were."

Linda says that during the project a web site will be maintained to update "e-surfers" on the progress of the findings.

A research assistant will be involved and there will be somebody on hand to help volunteers develop their IT skills.

I should imagine there will be a lot of interest in this project when it gets going.

One 70-plus gentleman I know remembers the trains fondly from the early 1950s.

It seems they were known as "passion wagons" at the time and were very popular with young people in Bolton.

His memory of it all is that there was rarely any trouble or vandalism.

Although lads were known to take the bulb out of its socket in the carriage for the journey home from Blackpool -- and replace it once they were back in Trinity Street.

Anybody who wants to be part of the Westhoughton project can contact Linda Moore at Westhoughton High School in Bolton Road on 01942 840575 or by e-mail Drop a line...westhoughtonict@yahoo.co.uk