THE next time you bemoan living in a "Big Brother" state, just be thankful that you don't live in the Radcliffe of the 1930s.

While doing a spot of recent research into the town's history, North Ward councillor, Tim Chamberlain, came across a copy of the bye-laws for what was the borough of Radcliffe.

"Some of them are really rather bizarre," said Coun Chamberlain of Turks Road.

For instance, it was an offence to lead or drive a bull aged more than 12 months through the streets, unless it was properly secured and under control.

Fans of slapstick comedy would have been out of luck as it was also a specific offence to throw or leave a banana skin in any street or public place.

Jostling, loitering near a church entrance, spitting and noisy hawking would all have got you into trouble, as would playing "tipcat" or any offensive or dangerous games that would obstruct traffic or pedestrians.

Carrying an undressed carcass of any animal, or "any offensive offal" through the streets would have landed you in hot water and so would carrying soot along a footpath!