THIS entire Oxford street had to be closed to traffic in 1971 because of a chimney pot.

Bear Lane behind High Street was shut for a morning in May that year while Bill Ostle and Tony Coles removed the offending article.

The property in question was undergoing a major renovation at the time, but the chimney proved a particular safety risk.

It was therefore decided it would have to be dismantled piece by piece.

Thankfully Bill and Tony don't seem to have been too stressed out by the job, despite their precarious perch atop the rickety scaffold.

For bonus nostalgia points, check out the vintage motors in the background of the picture.

The road was reopened to traffic in the afternoon, a job well done.