ONE local donkey stone supplier was John Sharples, who had his own 'factory' in the cellar of his home in Shaw Street, Bolton, and this picture shows him running the family business in the backyard.

He is with, from left, Mrs Elizabeth Booth, sister-in-law, his wife Margaret, and his sister Mrs Frances Latham.

The 'factory' was in full production from the early part of the last century, right up to the outbreak of the Second World War.