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ALL TIED UP: Echo feature writer Patrick Gough just can't decide which one looks good today!

Police officers in several counties around the UK are to do away with the traditional collar and tie and instead wear zip-neck shirts. Is this the beginning of the end for the humble necktie?

An essential fashion accessory, the tie - and variations on it - have kept men looking smart for hundreds of years. Ties come in all patterns and sizes, with the four most common types of necktie being the work tie, the school tie, the black tie and, of course, the novelty tie.

The Work Tie This can vary from the knitted burgundy tie of the geography teacher, to the chip fat spattered neckwear of the fast food operative. The purpose of the work tie is to bring a little decorum and formality to the workplace. The work tie clearly indicates that you mean business.

The School Tie Typically loathed by its wearer, the school tie is creatively worn in various styles. They can be rolled inside out to form the furry caterpillar' or specially tied to make them extremely small and ridiculous. By far the most popular style is the Peanut', which requires the help of an older pupil to tighten the tie into a knot that you can only undo with scissors. Then there's the old school tie, designed to tell the casual observer which school you came from. My own old school tie is green and covered in dolphins, so outside of the local area people assume I was educated at the Sea Life Centre.

The Black Tie Normally worn on formal dress occasions when jeans and trainers would be frowned upon. Award ceremonies, weddings, funerals.

Strictly speaking you don't actually have to wear a black tie and you could plump for a fetching cravat or a dicky bow tie. Why not complete the look with a loud waistcoat, braces and the exotic-sounding cummerbund?

The Novelty Tie Also referred to as the comedy tie. This is a close relative of the work tie, but with a rebellious side.

Traditionally given as a gift, the novelty tie usually depicts a design that the person who gave you thought was funny. It rarely is. Best worn around the head at the office Christmas bash.

Top five tie facts
1) In the olden days, simply touching another man's tie knot was cause for a duel.

2) A person who collects ties is called a grabatologist.

3) A good quality silk tie will require approximately 110 silkworm cocoons.

4) It is possible to buy a bulletproof tie that will stop a 9mm bullet.

5) Around the world, the tie is still the most popular Father's Day gift.

7:00pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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