These properties at the bottom of Oakworth Road were being demolished in 1958 to prepare the site for the then “ultra-modern” Westgate flats.

The two bearded codgers were 67-year-old William Lund and 57-year-old James Hardy, who refused to leave their single-room cellar-dwelling under one of the balcony houses.

Their 5s.3d-a-week rent-book became null and void that May as demolition began, but they ignored notice to quit and refused the offer of a council flat at Braithwaite.

As Mr Lund explained: “I only get £2.6s.6d. a week old age pension. Jimmy gets nothing at all.” They simply couldn’t have afforded it.

Familiarly called Willie and Jimmy, as the weeks passed, their obstinacy became a ‘siege’. They clung on despite the roof being stripped off the house above them, their chimney felled and water cut off. As demolition progressed around them, they dared not go out together in case they couldn’t get back in.

A sympathetic public gave them food and cigarettes, though offers of alternative accommodation fell through.

At last, in September, demolition workers smashed their door and windows and warned them they would pull their hovel down around them next day.

So, under cover of a gathering dusk, Willie and Jimmy, accompanied by Towser the dog and Smokey the cat, trundled their few belongings by hand-cart to another derelict house in nearby Farrar’s Yard.

This too was earmarked for demolition – but not immediately!

The photograph has been supplied by Mr Kevin Seaton, of Shann Lane, Keighley.