THE buxom blondes and the henpecked husbands are coming home!

Examples of the cheeky postcards, created by Bamforth and Co for more than a century, are returning to Holmfirth - but only temporarily.

They will feature in a fun exhibition that celebrates the comic postcard, from August 7 to 30 at Holmfirth Civic Hall.

The touring show, which was staged at Huddersfield Art Gallery in April, takes a behind-the-scenes look at saucy seaside postcards and again focuses on the nudge-nudge jokes that have delighted thousands and offended many over the years.

The artwork that went into creating the red-nosed husbands, buxom beauties and other characters associated with the comic postcards, will also feature.

The display follows the cards' production from the artist's rough sketch through to the final printed version. Some 200 examples of original artwork and a selection of original postcards will be on show.

The Bamforth business was based in Holmfirth for more than 100 years. In 1987, when managing director Derek Bamforth retired, it was sold to Scarborough-based postcard publishers, Dennis & Sons.

The Holmfirth studio continued to operate until 1994 but, after the parent company went into receivership, the archive of artwork was split up and sold at auction.

Kirklees Council bought some of the archive which is held by the Kirklees Community History Service. Many of the 20,000 postcards and 1,500 pieces of artwork have never been on public display but now, 20 years on, some will return 'home' for this exhibition.

The event will be open for viewing from noon to 4pm every day. Admission is free.

Katina bill, collections assistant for Kirklees Community History, said: "There is still a great fascination with the saucy seaside postcards produced by Bamforth & Co. They're cheeky, a little bit naughty, but a lot of fun - and the artwork is fantastic."

* Postcard sales topped 16m a year at their peak

* The saucy cards appeared from Bridlington to Blackpool, Bournemouth to Berwick

* Bamforths also made early magic lantern slides - and were labelled the UK's answer to US film-makers

* The First World War saw thousands of their cards posted abroad by wives missing their loved ones

* One of the company's most famous artists was Arnold Taylor.