WHILE the news pages of old newspapers tell the stories of the day, it is the adverts that allow you to peer deep into the people's lives of the time.

All of these adverts were printed on the inside pages of The Northern Echo of 100 years ago, and they show very similar themes to today's adverts: the latest fashions, be they clothes or music, how you can look good, and what are the latest, most convenient, tastes.

But there is a preponderance of health adverts, because fears of the flu clearly played on people's minds, and then there is the quackery of Clara E Slater, who is making positively her last visit ever to Darlington, where the women will be able to consult her in person about their problems, and she will be able to sell them her unique rupture belt.