THIS very intriguing photo was sent to us by Cyril Foster of Bridport.

Cyril said his nan Lucy Foster lived in Burton Bradstock many years ago and her husband was the coast guard at West Bay.

He said: "I was looking through her old photos and came across this photo of The Greyhound hotel in Bridport with a crowd in front of it and have been told the man in the iron mask was to walk round the world. Is this true?"

Well, we're always happy to set the record straight here at Looking Back and can inform Cyril that the Man with the Iron Mask, as he became known, set out on his tour of the world in March 1908.

We know that he arrived in Axminster on Friday, March 13(!) 1908, presumably after passing through Bridport.

A Bridport News report says: "The man with the iron mask' arrived in Axminster yesterday, and, being market day, his appearance created a good deal of excitement.

"He was accompanied by the lady who is now his wife and a male friend, who says the task will occupy about ten years."

We'd love to hear from anyone who has any more information on the Man in the Iron Mask's epic walk. Get in touch the usual way.