BACK in 1991 the Strawberry pub was the latest Barrow venue to give regulars to chance to try out their singing skills accompanied by a karaoke machine.

The Mail, on April 25, noted: "The Japanese import where pubgoers sing along to backing music on laser discs has become one of the most amazing entertainment success stories of recent years.

"It's big in Germany and Spain, huge in the USA and since making its debut in London in the late 1980s it has become a national phenomenon.

"Barrow has just started to get in on the act in a serious way this year.

"It's spread so fast that now there's karaoke going on somewhere on almost every night of the week."

The event was compered by Peter Downing of the Karaoke Explosion Roadshow.

Strawberry manager David Hulme said: "The pub's packed, everyone enjoys it and hopefully they'll come back."

Among those giving it a try was Claire Pilcher, a real karaoke enthusiast.

She said: "I go to Allsorts on a Tuesday and Wednesday and The Cry on Sundays.

"It gives me a buzz. I love it. You're famous for five minutes."