With building work about to start on the next stage of the housing development in North Swindon, worries have been expressed about a possible unexploded bomb near Lady Lane.

Alan Thipthorpe, from Toothill has revealed details of the raid by German bombers one night in 1942 when he worked at the Garrards aircraft factory off Lady Lane making fuselages for Stirling bombers. A Redrow Homes development is located on the site now.

He recollects that four bombs were dropped over the factory and clearly remembers three explosions nearby. He has always been convinced that the fourth lies unexploded and undiscovered.

"We used to make about 8 aircraft per week. I worked nights and we always knew if there might be a raid because a light on the roof went red if enemy aircraft were within a 50 mile radius.

"I was one of the last to leave the factory floor to go to the shelter. There were three rapid explosions nearby, but I'm sure four were discharged. I came down from the London area, where bombs were a common occurrence. But because you only heard the odd one in Swindon I took more notice and listened out for them. I always wondered if one landed in the Haydon brook and has never been discovered."

If Alan's story has jogged your memory, or if you remember your parents talking about bomb raids targeting the factory, swindonlink.com would be interested in hearing from you. Telephone (01793) 872282.