THE decade that celebrated flares, bushy sideburns and fashionable perms is to be the centrepiece of a special exhibition.

Visitors to Abingdon’s museum can step back in time during an exhibition inspired by the 1970s – and even relax on a sofa while listening to records.

The Decade that Taste Forgot? is to be staged be at the Market Place museum until Sunday, May 10.

Items on display include wedding dresses, drinks cans, platform shoes, old magazines — and an iconic Chopper bicycle, famous for its high-backed seat and tall handlebars.

Exhibition organiser Chris Gale, who spent a week setting up the event, said: “It’s a real mix of different items.

“It reflects what the decade was really like – a lot of people have come in and said ‘I really remember that’ and ‘I had one of those’ – particularly the Chopper, which pretty much has pride of place.

“There are a lot of fashion accessories, like the platform shoes, there as well.

“It’s a touring exhibition and has been set up by Hampshire and Oxfordshire county councils.

“It opened in Woodstock and was particularly popular there.

“I’m sure it will be just as popular in Abingdon.

In the past, the Abingdon County Hall Museum has hosted exhibitions on the 50s and 60s.

Museum curator Lauren Gilmour said: “These exhibitions are really popular.”

The exhibition, which started its tour at the Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock, was showcased in Abingdon on Friday evening, when 100 people had a sneak preview of the museum pieces.

Following its stay in Abingdon,The Decade that Taste Forgot? will move to the Museum of Oxford in St Aldate’s.

abingdon@oxfordmail.co.uk