SPORTING bouffant hairstyles and long leather boots, staff at one upholstery shop took a step back in time to the mad world of 1960s fashion this week.

The eight women from Conroys head office in Birtley dressed up in the trendy gear to celebrate the company's 40th anniversary.

And to make sure the party was swinging, they handed out champagne to dozens of customers visiting the company's MetroCentre branch.

Managing director Michael Conroy wanted to take staff and customers back to the days when the business was first opened by his parents Hazel and John Conroy, in Stanley. Selling furniture, carpets and upholstery, the 2,000 sq ft site proved so profitable that six years later a 10,000 sq ft site in Stanley's Station Road was added.

He said: "Forty years of success is certainly an achievement and we wanted our staff and customers to share our feeling of pride."

His secretary Julia Mansfield said: "It was great fun wearing such an outrageous costume. I wouldn't be surprised if my mum wore clothes like this when she was younger."