PICTURES and memories of days gone by have proved a hit with young audiences.

The exhibition at Hartlepool Museum includes photographs of buildings that were demolished in the York Road and the Belle Vue area of town.

They are accompanied with recordings of people's memories of life in Hartlepool dating back more than 50 years.

One of the most intriguing photographs shows a long- forgotten archway, which was built for the visit of Prince Albert, in 1889.

Tapes tell of steelworkers going to work in wooden clogs and the problems housewives had making bread from state-produced flour.

Phil Swinburne, arts facilitator of the New Deal Community project, has put together the exhibition.

He said: "The response has been really and truly amazing.

"We had it in the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre at one point and there were crowds of people even before we had it up.

"There's been a good response from Hartlepool people, young as well as old, at the museum as well.

"The photographs came from the people of the area as well as archivists like George Colley.

"The stories people told us are amazing as well."

The exhibition will be on view at the museum until January.

Published: 04/11/2004