Memories of 1950s and 60s take a seat in the salon

George Harris, one of the brains behind the exhibition, said the idea was inspired by the jukebox revolution

A quirky arts project featuring music and memories from the 1950s and 60s has launched in Blackpool - with the help of some salon-style hairdryers from the period.

Called Voices from the Hood, the exhibition at the Lancashire town's Central Library takes an unusual twist by encouraging visitors to take a seat under one of three of the dome-shaped dryers.

But instead of having their hair dried, visitors listen to classic hits and memories of local people who were teenagers at the time.

The project is a collaboration between Lancaster University and the Mirador heritage charity.

George Harris, from Mirador, said the idea was inspired by a company from Lytham that made jukeboxes.

Ditchburn Equipment Ltd, which closed about 50 years ago, was the only maker of British jukeboxes for a decade.

Visitors can listen to classic hits and the memories of local people through retro hair dryers

Mr Harris said: "Jukeboxes were American things.

"We couldn't import them so they had to be made in the UK and Jack Hylton, the bandleader, built the first jukeboxes at Hawtin's in Blackpool.

"But the business didn't prove successful because he was trying to sell them at a time of austerity.

"Then Ditchburn in Lytham cracked the notion of renting them to cafés and milk bars."

The jukebox led to a revolution which flourished in the 1950s and 60s - giving the young people of the time a chance to listen to ground-breaking rock and pop records that were not being featured on mainstream radio.

Mr Harris added: "They could listen to music to express themselves in the way they wanted to see themselves."