North West retro: 38 nostalgic photos capture life as it was growing up in the 50s and 60s

These photos were taken in the 50s and 60s, showing life as it was for children growing up around the North West at the time.

They take you back to the days long before streaming, social media and online shopping, when Saturday morning films, the siren call of the ice cream van jingle and marbles on the pavement were among life’s greatest pleasures.

Youngsters are seen playing on the street, splashing around at the beach and lido, and trying on hats at a high street giant that is now a distant memory.

These nostalgic pictures also capture the excitement of the space race, as crowds gather to catch a glimpse of Yuri Gagarin, the first man to orbit Earth.

They show a lost zoo that once drew visitors in their thousands; trips to the market, with rabbits strung up for sale; and school lessons during the days of chalk and blackboards.

If you grew up then, you’ll remember how different TVs looked from the huge flatscreens now hanging on many living room walls.

You probably yearn to once again fill a pick ‘n’ mix bag with sweets from the local Woolworths store.

And you’ll recall trips on the trams and buses of the day, when public transport looked very different from how it does now.

Do these photos bring back any happy memories for you of growing up in the 50s and 60s? What do you miss most about those days?