READERS are invited to contribute to The Northern Echo's next Golden Age supplement to mark the 50th year of Queen Elizabeth II's reign.

Our subject for September's edition is industry and agriculture, and we need your help.

The North-East and North Yorkshire have seen an industrial revolution in the past 50 years. Heavy industry, from pits to chemicals, has been replaced by the service sector. To help chronicle how it was, we want your memories of your first jobs.

What did you make? How much did you earn? What were the working conditions? What were your expectations? Was it a job for life, or only until the pits closed or the Beeching axe fell?

We would also like to hear about your first redundancy. How was it handled? What was your pay-off? Was it the best thing that ever happened to you?

Send your stories to: Golden Memories, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, DL1 1NF, or e-mail chris.lloydnne.co.uk by September 13.