A step back in Tyne to the 'swinging sixties'

IT WAS a decade that will forever be remembered as the 'swinging 60s' - a momentous era when London became the pop culture capital of the world, when music, fashion and the arts exploded into life, and when 'the establishment' was challenged by progressive ideals and the advancement of personal freedoms.

- By DAVID MORTON

Home fans celebrate a goal during Newcastle United's 3-0 win against Ujpesti Dozsa in the first leg of the Fairs Cup final at St James' Park on May 29, 1969

Newcastle during the 1960s was marked by major urban redevelopment as the city sought to modernise itself in the postwar world. Old terraced streets were torn down and multi-storey towers and housing estates were built in their place, while new office blocks and public buildings also took shape.

Retail thrived in city centre stores, thousands flocked to watch Newcastle United at St James' Park, and the after-dark scene boomed as newfangled nightclubs opened with the promise of booze, music and gambling for hardworking Geordies who wanted to let their hair down after grafting all week.

Our 10 photographs from the Chronicle archive - one for each year of the decade - recall scenes around Newcastle during the era.