QUITE a few readers correctly identified last week's Craven Curiosity which were a pair of 'spats'.

Katherine Cheney, of Skipton, said her father, who was born in 1912 had a pair, although she does not remember him ever wearing them.

Mrs Milner, from Bingley was also familiar with the spats. "When I was a member of the Embsay Railway volunteers, I made a few pairs of these for the Fat Controller, which looked very smart, " she tells me. "He had lots of compliments about them at various meetings he attended."

Cath Cooney was also correct, as was Syd Smith, John Harrison, and Margaret Waterhouse, from Skipton. "The were worn over the ankles to keep feet warm and dry, and, yes, I am old enough to have worn them in the 1930s," says Mrs Waterhouse.

Experts at Craven Museum and Gallery, where they are on show, tell us spats is short for ‘Spatterdash’ and they were developed in the 18th century for military officers to wear as a protective covering over their boots.

"They gradually evolved into a fashion item and by the early 20th century were popular accessories worn over shoes and boots by both men and women. They were often white and covered the instep and ankle, as distinct from gaiters which cover the whole lower leg."

Meanwhile, suggestions for this week's Craven Curiosity should be sent before 8am on Monday to lesley.tate@cravenherald.co.uk