A HOARD of forgotten images detailing the history of a North-East town has been rediscovered.

Hundreds of images on glass slides, many taken by local historian Michael Heavisides between 1863 and 1912, were found in Preston Hall Museum, at Eaglescliffe, near Stockton.

The photographs, together with Mr Heavisides' notes and books from the time, paint a vivid picture of life in Stockton during the period.

Images include pictures of John Walker, who invented the friction match, with his pestle and mortar. Others depict well-known characters at the time such as down and out "Hairy John", who wandered the streets with no shoes, and another is captioned Wibby and his Donkey.

The secretary of the Friends of Preston Hall, Lynn Lamport, said: "It has been fascinating cataloguing all these images, but very hard work.

"It started when one of our new members, Jan Horton, was looking for something to do and we said she might look at all these shelves of glass images.

"It will take years to complete the job.

"We eventually found a poster of a lecture using a projector lantern Mr Heavisides gave in February 1909 to raise money for Stockton and Thornaby Hospital, along with his original notes.

"We had the idea to give the lecture again at the museum, and have been working flat out on that since."

Mrs Lamport said that Mr Heavisides, a publisher and printer who was born in 1843, wrote many history books and almanacs.

The re-created Lantern Lecture of 1909 will take place at Preston Hall Museum on Sunday, October 12.

There will only be space for 80 people and anyone interested should call (01642) 645226 for tickets.