The shabby town 'once rammed' that people are now leaving in droves

People in a town that was "once absolutely buzzing" have voiced concerns over the growing number of shuttered shops, dwindling job opportunities and declining standards as more people move away.

Stocksbridge, north of Sheffield, was once a thriving steelwork hub. Samuel Fox established a wire works in 1842 and even today Liberty Speciality Steel operates a steel mill in the area. However, locals argue that it no longer stimulates the town's economy as it once did.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, reminisced about the town's vibrant past: "When I was a child it was absolutely buzzing," she said. "We used to have buses coming in three times a day with workers from Barnsley, Penistone and other places. They were rammed."

She lamented the recent lack of investment in Stocksbrid