0ld telephone numbers..

[seachurch]

I have an old photograph of a van on which the telephone number 688-1032 is written..can anyone tell me in which part of the country this number related to..I would say the photo was taken about the 1950's.

[mjandrews96]

in the 1970's /1980's croydon was a 688 prefix

[vehelpfulguy]

In the 1950s we did not have phone numbers like 688-1032

The frist three numbers were usually letters and based on where you lived, so someone is say Putney in London would be PUT 1234

[seachurch]

Thank you both for your response..In the photograph there were no letters before the numbers but my own impression was that it was by the coast..The lettering on the side of the van reads 'Gilberts Pies' 'Made by Bakers',Tel [phone],the registration of the van is RLP 5E..were not vehicles registered in their locality at one time ? As to when the photo was taken I will stay with the 50's..

[kempie]

RLP 5E is a NW London registration dating from 1967. Around that time Croydon's telephone exchange code changed from 270 (CRO) to 688.

[Grunty]

Exchange letters were abandoned in 1966 in favour of all-figure numbers.

[pussnboots]

My sister in law has a688 phone no. She lives in the M35 area of Manchester.