Washing machines are one of the most common appliances in homes across Watford and beyond but in the days before their mass production, people either had to wash their clothes by hand or send them away to be cleaned.

The Watford Observer has again teamed up with its friends at Watford Museum to look back at structures, objects or businesses from the town’s past that have either disappeared or been relocated and this week we remember the Watford Steam Laundry.

The museum’s volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: “In the 1880s there used to be a laundry at the old silk mill in the Rookery. By the early 1900s, the laundry business had come to Sydney Road.

“Watford Steam Laundry's premises were expanded in the 1920s, but I think this image shows an earlier Sydney Road building.

“The photo shows an Albion lorry with the company name but not with the large "W" that many people associate with the business.

“The company was acquired by CLEAN Linen Services in 2015 but now both business and buildings have gone.”

Visit the Museum Facebook page or website www.watfordmuseum.org.uk to see more historic photos.