HISTORICAL photographs from Ipswich and the surrounding area are today on show in an easy-to-use format at the Ipswich Record Office.The new cataloguing system has been made possible by the work of 12 volunteers working for the last year and a half.

HISTORICAL photographs from Ipswich and the surrounding area are today on show in an easy-to-use format at the Ipswich Record Office.

The new cataloguing system has been made possible by the work of 12 volunteers working for the last year and a half.

An unveiling event of the new system was held at the record office, on Gatacre Road, Ipswich, on Thursday .

The oldest of the photographs date back to the 1860s.

Alexander Haywood, head of heritage for Suffolk County Council, said; "This project is significant because it is such a big collection of pictures that are now accessible to anybody who wants to view them.

"It has been a huge task for these volunteers and they have been very dedicated. The work has been done to professional standard and we have enjoyed having them work with us. We are tremendously grateful for their work."

Bob Malster, a volunteer, said: "It is important to have these pictures on file so people can access them for many reasons. Authors often want to research history and many people are interested in history.

"And of course it has become hugely popular to trace family histories these days which these pictures may help people to do."

The 20,000 photographs are now available at the record's office and in the future will be accessible from the internet too.

Mitzi Tyler, a volunteer, said: "I am very interested in local history and am also the parish recorder of historical pictures for Capel St Mary. I really enjoyed the project and am pleased it will be available to so many people."