THE ITV television soap opera Coronation Street created some excellent and loveable characters over the years.

One of the most memorable was Jack Duckworth, who was played by Bill Tarmey.

The character made his on-screen debut in an episode broadcast in 1979, although Bill had already appeared as a background character in a large number of scenes in the Rovers Return.

Many of Jack’s storylines centred around his often-tempestuous marriage to his wife Vera, played by Liz Dawn.

Jack was known for his hobby of looking after pigeons and, although hen-pecked by Vera and with many of his plans and schemes ended in failure, he was given many witty lines.

In 1992 Bill Tarmey was the star selected to switch on Barrow’s Christmas lights on December 4.

Bill flicked the switch at the gazebo in Dalton Road and afterwards signed autographs for his fans.

Prior to the festive event, Malcolm Hartley, store general manager of Barrow Co-op, said he was delighted the town had captured a major television personality to switch on the lights.

“It will pull a lot of people into Barrow and while they’re here they will hopefully look at the town centre.

“Getting a big star was something the Barrow and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce thought of doing last year but there weren’t any funds available.”

Over at Askam in 1992 the Christmas tree lights were switched on by Catherine Higginson and Faye Bigland, both ten.

The two girls were the joint winners of a competition run by Askam and Ireleth Parish Council to design a crest for the villages.

Catherine, of St Peter's C of E, Ireleth and Faye, a pupil at Askam Primary, switched on the lights in front of a group of family, friends and representatives of the parish council.

Chairman Cllr Steven Donnelly presented the two girls with book tokens.