BETWEEN the 1940s and 1960s, Swindon photographer Albert Beaney took hundreds of pictures of local people.

Now a social history project called Back to Black and White, based on his work, aims to track down as many people in Mr Beaney’s photographs.

Organisers also want to speak to people who remember the people and places in the images.

Mr Beaney took pictures in the Gorse Hill, Parks, Penhill, Pinehurst and Old Town areas.

A collection of about 40,000 of his negatives and prints are now held by Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, in Bath Road.

The project has been made possible thanks to a £25,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

It is being run as a partnership between the council’s Create Studios, the museum and Swindon Youth Forum.

A group of teenagers from the forum will study the images and record interviews with people who are in the photos or remember the locations from the day.

The old and new photographs, plus the children’s findings, will be displayed in an exhibition at the Artsite Gallery, Theatre Square, from August 16 to 18.

Among those snapped by the late Mr Beaney are local historian Bob Townsend, who was pictured with his brother John and two girls believed to be Gillian and Jennifer Jones, all of Cricklade Road, in Gorse Hill.

The photo is believed to have been taken by the Gorse Hill Community Centre, in Tiverton Road, around 1946.

Bob said: “I didn’t realise I was even in any Beaney pictures, so it was a great surprise to find this one. I didn’t even recognise myself to start with.

“I have already met some of the young people working on this project and they are a delight to work with. I would urge anyone to come forward if they remember having pictures taken.

“As a member of the Swindon Society it’s great to see young people take an interest in the history of Swindon.

“This collection of images has many great stories to tell.”

Hollie Newman, 16, one of the youngsters involved, said: “It’s so different and interesting and it’s going to be great to work with the generations.”

After the forum’s research is complete, the project’s team will work with St Joseph’s Catholic College, Commonweal School, Seven Fields School and Drove Primary School.

About 130 pupils, aged from 11 to 16, will take more of their own photos and conduct further interviews. A larger exhibition will take place next year featuring all the work.

Shahina Johnson, of Create Studios, said: “This has been an amazing opportunity for young people to explore an important part of Swindon’s heritage.

“They have already been making their own digital photos to add to the Beaney archive, and they are keen to hear from people who can tell us more about the stories behind those archive images.”

If you think you own a Beaney image or had your picture taken by Mr Beaney, call Marilyn Fitzgerald on 01793 465333 or email mfitzgerald2@swindon.gov.uk