REMEMBER the 80s? If you were a youngster, no doubt you will have memories of wriggling through KES, the kid-eating snake, in the Hardshaw Centre on the way to Toy and Hobby.

The three-day St Helens Show in Sherdley Park was still huge, attracting thousands every summer to the fair, stalls and the roadshows from Radio City, Merseyside and Piccadilly.

Adults had plenty on their mind because the town had been hit hard by job cuts at the start of the decade, with big firms scaling down or, like British Sidac, shutting down altogether.

As a result, unemployment remained higher than the national average throughout the decade – but the people remained resilient. The decade saw the miners’ strike and the attempted BTR takeover of Pilkington Glass.

Rugby-wise it was a decade Saints struggled in – losing two Wembley finals and living in Wigan’s shadow. The fans had Pimblett’s Wembley pie packs to accompany them on their journeys.

The highlight for fans was the arrival of Australian legend Mal Meninga for a season at Knowsley Road from 1984.

St Helens was very much part of Greenall Whitley land, with all but a handful of the town’s pubs run by the brewer.

The Market and Nelson would be heaving on a Saturday, while Cindy’s on Duke Street was the biggest nightclub in town, with others headed to Crystals, Park Lane and Jesters.

The town’s fanciest hotel – The Fleece – was demolished in 1986, with the iconic town centre store Helena House also razed to the ground.

Thanks again to Anthony Liptrot for his treasure trove of fabulous 80s photos.