Christmas 1916 was fast approaching - a third festive season at war. For many families there was mourning amid the celebrations for husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, lovers lost on the field of battle.

But Christmas would not be cancelled, and retailers were hoping to persuade Lutonians to part with their shillings and pence on goods they had on offer. There were toys, fashions and other gifts on offer.

Here are a selection of adverts that appeared in The Luton News in the two or three weeks in the run-up to Christmas 1916.