EVERY neighbourhood used to have a launderette, those great rows of industrial size washers and driers.

Long before most houses had washing machines the launderette was as much a community meeting place as the corner shop or pub. Indeed, in bedsitter land, where scores of singles lived, many a romance has started against the smell of hot soapy water and the rumble of the driers.

And that was before Nick Kamen famously stripped down to his boxers in that Levis ad.

But, like the corner shop, the launderette seemed to have had its day. Even students have washing machines now.

But the launderette is back, re-invented for the 21st Century where we might have washing machines, but what we don't have is time. Today's launderettes are more personal, more service orientated - a modern mix on launderettes and old style laundries.

Typical of the new breed of launderette is Jackie's Laundry in Barnard Castle, opened by Jackie Gargett earlier this year.

"I've always loved launderettes. When I was growing up here 35 years ago I used to go with my mam and really enjoyed it. When we're on holiday I even quite like going to launderettes then."

She worked for many years in Barnard Castle school, went to Canada with her husband and when they came back to Barney decided the time was right and opened the launderette in Greta Road in February this year.

"A lot of people thought I was mad opening a launderette, saying they were a thing of the past, but I knew it was worth a go."

There's that familiar clean and soapy smell, a huge kit bag of filthy rugby kit in the corner and in the back room, an ironing board, a rotary iron and stacks of neat, clean washing waiting to be collected.

The difference is that Jackie does the lot, the washing, ironing and folding "I'll even collect and deliver if I can. I know most people have washing machines now, but it's a question of time, isn't it, especially when it comes to the ironing."

Many of her regular customers are local businesses - bed and breakfast, pubs, holiday cottages, but also working families where washing and ironing are the obvious tasks to farm out when time is short.

"And shirts. There are a few men who bring all their shirts in for me to do, washed dried and ironed at £1.50 a shirt.,"

Then there was all the washing too, for the Ladettes to Lady series made at Eggleston Hall.

And those huge duvets that won't fit into the domestic washer, "And horse blankets, I've done a lot of horse blankets."

Jackie has been busier than she'd hoped, is already planning to get more of the big machines and ropes the family in to help when needs be.

But there are still plenty of people who come in to do their own washing. "Or to use the driers, especially in this rainy summer. They've been really busy."

And lots of holidaymakers staying in holiday cottages caravans or B&Bs.

"I get all sorts of people in here. That's one of the great parts of the job,. This year I've met people from all over the world. It's great, really interesting. Every day's different."

And there are always surprises. Ironing a pair of customer's jeans that morning, Jackie found something in the pocket and, thinking it was an old tissue, nearly threw it away. Luckily she didn't - it turned out to be £180 that the surprised customer had forgotten she'd left in her pocket.

Money laundering in Jackie's place is strictly of the soap and watery sort.

Jackie's Laundry, Greta Road, Barnard Castle. Tel: 01833-631177. Open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm; Saturdays 9-2pm. Self service from £3.50 for a small load to £5 for more than 16lbs. Service washes from £8. Ironing by weight £4 per kg