Albert Beaney was a well known figure in Swindon, popping up all over the town with his trustee camera capturing a picture of the social history of the times.

Tonight Swindon Museum and Art Gallery begins a series of free exhibitions highlighting his work.

Albert was born in 1914 and was interested in photography when he was a child. He was an officers’ assistant during the war and took up camera work when he lost his job on the railways. Today his collection boasts 40,000 negatives and photographs taken from 1945 to 1970. The collection was acquired by the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery in 1998 with help from The Swindon Society.

Nicki Western, from Cultural Swindon, said: “We realised that the people of Swindon want to view these historic photos so we are putting together a selection of evenings which will feature different areas of Swindon. Tonight it is pictures taken in Pinehurst and Penhill in the Art Gallery, from 6pm till 8pm. Pop along and enjoy a blast from the past!’’