The Daily Echo turns back the clock and takes a look at life through the lens of a photographer in December 1978.

It was the same month as Dad’s Army actor Bill Pertwee took time out of home guard duties in order to help pensioners across Shirley High Street.

The Two Ronnies made an appearance to cut the cake at The Gaumont theatre’s Jubilee party.

While all this was happening - these events were taking place nationally:

December 10

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Peter D Mitchell "for his contribution to the understanding of biological energy transfer through the formulation of the chemiosmotic theory"

Southampton RFC - taken in December 1978

December 21-23

BBC workers went on strike over pay. This resulted in BBC One and BBC Two being taken off air, and the merging of BBC Radio 1, 2, 3 and 4 into one national radio network.

After negotiations, they received a 15-per-cent pay rise and services were reinstated on December 23.

Bellemoor School - taken in December 1978

December 25

Christmas number one was Mary’s Boy Child - Oh My Lord by Boney M.

The song, originally written by Jester Hairston in 1956, went on to become one of the best selling singles of all time in the UK.

When told of the success Boney M had with their version, Hairston said; “God bless my soul. That’s tremendous for an old fogey like me.” He was 78 at the time.

Miss Sydel retiring from Mansbridge Primary - taken in December 1978