A SIGN in a men's clothes store window was causing chuckles among shoppers in December 1973 due to its light-hearted take on a raft of issues affecting the country.

The notice, which appeared in a shop in Queen Street, declared it was still open for business despite strikes, shortages and an international scandal.

A miners strike, fuel and electricity crisis, and the Watergate tapes in America all made the list.

The sign writer was also clearly a West Ham supporter as the club's league position, which plummeted over the course of a season from a sixth place finish for the football club to 18th, also appeared.