'You could smell someone' who worked at Raleigh

The news the company which owns Raleigh had begun insolvency proceedings means one of Nottingham's most prestigious manufacturing names may have reached the end of its journey.

From being one of the city's big three employers - along with Boots and Players cigarettes - with 8,000 staff, it may have finished its days being little more than a logo.

But during the decades of its existence it touched the lives of countless people, both those who worked there and those who enjoyed its bicycles.

Some of those tell their stories about what Raleigh meant to them.

Mark Hallam grew up being able to see the Raleigh factory from his backyard.

He said: "Raleigh - Players and Boots too - came to the school offering careers and since it was so close I went for Raleigh.

"I started in 1978, starting with how to build brakes and put spokes in wheels.

"It had such a great atmosphere, though you had to be able to take having the mickey taken out of you!