A HYNDBURN alleyway, complete with cobbles and a boarded-up window daubed with graffiti, has been beamed across the world and is causing quite a stir in Australia.

The snapshot features on a Melbourne-based web picture gallery and the photographer, Sean Laffey, contacted the Observer to see if anyone could put a name to the landmark.

Although his dad used to work in Accrington, Sean said he doesn't really remember the alley and its location was now a bit of a mystery to him.

Closer inspection reveals that the image was taken next to the viaduct, off Blackburn Road, behind the row of buildings on Edgar Street.

Business owners nearby have told the Observer that the street is called The Archway or Railway Terrace.

It was taken about 15 months ago and then downloaded onto the Redbubble website alongside the work of international photographers.

Based in Ireland but formerly from Bacup, Sean said: "I was born and raised in Bacup. My aunt lives on Blackburn Road, Accrington, and my dad used to work for a bus company in Accrington, so I know the area but not well enough to know street names. I left Rossendale in 1975 so I suspect there have been a few changed in East Lancashire since.

"The picture is getting great feedback in Australia but I would just like to be a little more accurate with my description.

"I write little travelogues to go with the pictures and I'd love to be able to say where it is or maybe tell people that the street no longer exists."

Comments on the website say the picture is "wonderful", "brilliant'' and "captivating" and one contributor adds the comment: "Would love to be walking down this street on a balmy summer evening."

Redbubble is used as an online gallery with newspaper photographers and visual artists displaying their creative work.