In the days when telephone numbers were only four digits and linked numbering schemes were still being planned, local dialling codes were prolific. Use of the codes provided a simple way to call neighbouring exchanges without going via the operator, but were specific to each exchange and could not be dialled nationally, unlike the STD (Subscriber Trunk Dialling) system which had started its 20 year phased introduction...

Local code cards (like the one pictured above) were first kept in the slide out drawer of the black bakelite 162 and 300 series dial telephones.

The THG would like to create a database of these old codes, so if you have a telephone like the one above, please check the slide out drawer and send your scanned cards to Sam who is collating the database. The A5599 code card (July 1961) that was designed to fit into the drawer of a 300 type telephone, had the wording " TO CALL A SUBSCRIBER ON" (named ) exchange, dial the number you require.