For many people born and brought up in the seventies and eighties the VHS tape was something they will have fond memories of.

Before cinemas screened the latest Bollywood films, family get-togethers were not complete without watching the latest blockbuster on tape.

Raja Azmat runs Raja Video. It is one of the few remaining DVD rental shops in existence and is certainly the only one which still stocks rare Bollywood VHS tapes.

The shop, based on Davonport Road, Blackburn has over 10,000 films from different genres and a collection Mumbai film studios themselves would be proud of.

Azmat, who’s uncle first opened the shop in the eighties told us: “I have to say we don’t get many people coming in wanting to rent a VHS tape. There are still people who like to rent out DVDs though.”

But before downloads and online film subscription sites the video shop was the main source for movies.

“Before DVDs there would be a queue of people wanting to rent the latest movie. It was a real community event because only so many people had a colour TV or a video recorder!

“I remember people used to come in and book the video way in advance as they wanted to be the first to get their hands on it.”

Azmat has diversified his business and acts as a corner shop as well as DVD rental business. He also does a brisk trade in transferring people’s family and wedding videos on to DVD or Blue Ray.

He has some rare copies of Indian and Pakistani movies hailing back to the sixties. Rather than monetary value the videos have great sentimental value.

Some favourites inclue, Aan, Masoom, Karma, Disco Dancer, Rattan and Do Raste.

“They are in good condition but we try to ensure they are backed up on DVD too.

“You will still get the odd person who wants to watch a classic and cannot find it anywhere else.”