THE first full week of September 80 years ago was the first full week of World War Two.

As soon as war was declared, the Government stepped up anti-air raid measures ahead of the Nazi bombing campaign which was thought to be imminent.

Shelters were built, gas masks were issued as fast as they could be manufactured and many women and children were evacuated from cities to the relative safety of smaller communities such as Swindon.

Massive air raids on cities did come, but not until the following year.