SWINDON residents who grew up in the town during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s are being challenged to recognise themselves and their neighbours.

The Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, in Bath Road, is hosting a collection of Albert Beaney photographs, and is inviting everyone to look through the collection tonight.

Mr Beaney was a life-long Swindon resident. He was born in 1914 and his interest in photography started in childhood.

He left the people of Swindon with an amazing collection of images depicting social life in the town.

The collection consists of more than 40,000 negatives and photographs dating from 1945 until 1970.

The Beaney collection was acquired by the museum in 1998 with help from The Swindon Society and has been a hidden treasure just waiting to be unveiled. With support from the Swindon Society the collection is now in the process of being digitalized, which is a huge task in itself.

Thanks to the recent Back To Black And White exhibition, organisers have realised that the people of Swindon want to view these historic photos, so they are putting together a selection of evenings which will feature different areas of Swindon and give the change for people to come and look through the images.

The first event, which features pictures taken in Pinehurst and Penhill, takes place at the art gallery tonight from 6pm until 8pm.

The second viewing evening, featuring pictures from Park North and Park South, Walcot and Moredon, will take place on April 12 from 6pm until 8pm.

Admission to the sessions is free of charge.