AS TELEVISIONS go it might not display the sharpest of pictures.You might even have to wait half an hour for it to warm up before settling in front of the breakfast news with a cuppa.

AS TELEVISIONS go it might not display the sharpest of pictures.

You might even have to wait half an hour for it to warm up before settling in front of the breakfast news with a cuppa.

But what most people would consider an annoyance just enhances the pleasure of viewing for technology enthusiast David Looser.

For pride of place in his living room is a 1950 Bush 22 television and Mr Looser enjoys nothing better than to relax on the sofa to watch an old black and white movie.

The television has a nine-inch screen, with the picture made up of 405 lines compared to modern television which projects images in 625 lines.

Mr Looser, 53, from Harkstead, who used to work for British Telecom but is now a masseur, had to adapt the television in order for it to work as the transmitter for this early model shut down in 1985.

It is now linked up to a modern television and the image is fed through a special electronic converter.

"It's not our main set, it's just interesting to me to have something of that age which still functions and can be used," said Mr Looser.

"I started with just an interest in TV technology as a child and I have kept an emotional attachment to the technology of that era.

"Sets which date from my childhood I feel are particularly interesting. Mostly I watch it when old movies in black and white are on. I'm much more likely to choose this to watch it on, like the old Dr Who's."

Mr Looser, who lives with his wife and two daughters, bought the television for £20 at an auction in Ipswich 25 years ago.

He now owns a total of six old televisions, including a 1936 mirror view model, which is thought to be one of the first 1,000 televisions made.

Mr Looser also recently won a competition run by Sky television, which aimed to find the most quirky users of the service.

But he admitted his hobby often runs into difficulties.

"Getting valves is not a problem and small components as you can use the modern equivalent but picture tubes are a major headache as they are largely unavailable. You have to go to internet links and trade with other collectors," he said.

His love of television technology is also not shared by his family.

"They rarely watch it. It's my oddity and not one they particularly share. My wife objects to the clutter some times. I have a room that's full of stuff," he added.

nPEOPLE with ancient electrical equipment are being offered the chance to win a modern gadget.

The East Anglian Daily Times is searching for the reader with the oldest piece of working electrical equipment.

Hughes TV and Audio will give the winner a modern day equivalent up to the value of £250.

Anyone with an antique electrical device should write to the East Anglian Daily Times at 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1AN.

They should include their contact details as well as the make, model and age of the machine, which must be still in use.

1953

nFebruary 3 - Britain's east coast was devastated by floods which killed 280 and thousands more made homeless. In Canvey Island in Essex 125 people drowned and 500 were missing.

nJune 2 – The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was the first ever to be seen across the world because of television.

nJune 1 - Everest is conquered by New Zealander Edmund Hillary, and Tensing, the Sherpa who accompanied him for the last stage.

nMarch 25 - Queen Mary, the widow of King George V, dies in her sleep at Marlborough House.

nAugust 19, the England cricket team win back the Ashes for the first time since winning the Bodyline Tour of 1932-33

nMarch 5, Russian leader Joseph Stalin dies age 73 four days after suffering a brain haemorrhage