ONLY 30 years ago, Darlington – like most towns - was very different to what it is today. Fortunately, understanding the passing of time, local historian George Flynn recorded its buildings and streets before they disappeared, either through redevelopment or through the changing of tastes.

George was an inspiration, writing books, giving talks, leading walks and taking pictures – many of the 4,500 slides in the collection of the Darlington Centre for Local Studies are his.

Volunteers have been digitising the slides to make them more accessible. Their images make up this month’s exhibition in the centre, which is in the Crown Street library, and are available on the library’s website, www2.darlington.gov.uk.

George died in 2010, but his work lives on, still inspiring. If any of his pictures, either on these pages or in the exhibition, bring back any memories, thoughts or information, please let us know.

TODAY’S FRONT COVER: Peases Mill, taken from the inner ring road in August 1982. The textiles mill once employed more than 1,000 millgirls in Lower Priestgate, and was a huge presence in the town centre due to its bulk. It was demolished in the late 1980s, and now the TK Maxx multi-storey car park occupies its site.