WAYS of getting around Furness on very small wheels have come in and out of fashion over the decades and today we are featuring pictures from The Mail archive of roller skates, roller blades and skateboards.

Some of Britain's best skateboarders traded spectacular leaps, tricks and turns in 1991 as Barrow hosted a series of competitions.

The main venue was the town's Skateshack at Salthouse Mills - once a warehouse until it was transformed into one of the best indoor skating parks in the country.

The Mail, on Friday, January 11, noted: "Skaters with padded protection on only knees and elbows stuck like glue to their boards as they gathered speed on steeply sided wooden ramps.

"Competitors, both the sponsored professionals and the amateurs, put on the style with distinctive patterned skateboards and sweatshirts.

"Their skateboarding names were just as individual with Rocker, Cookie and Wingy all figuring in the results.

"It proved a successful weekend of competition for Barrow-based Ian 'Milly' Millard.

"He finished second skating for BBC Skateboards  and currently leads the national competition series after three of four events."

Youngsters at a Barrow school raised money for charity and had a great deal of fun in 2002 by skating around the grounds as part of a major national challenge by a cancer charity.

The Mail, on May 28, noted: “Pupils at St James’ CE School, in Blake Street, took part in the Macmillan Miles Challenge.

“The children in years three, four, five and six had to go around their school playground about eight and three-quarter times to hit the magic mile mark.

“Youngsters were allowed to take part in the mile challenge using skateboards or roller blades and some opted to run the mile on foot.

“Events took place all over the country and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for cancer care.

“Fundraisers were asked to come up with the wackiest mile idea with suggestions including eating a mile of spaghetti.”

St James’ headteacher Hayley Wilkinson said: “It was great. We think we have raised in excess of £500. The children loved it.”