Ref. 74255-12 Peter Setchell with his lost holiday snapsPHOTOGRAPHS are usually kept safe to be shared with family and friends as memorable reminders of good times.

But these snapshots came close to never seeing the light of day.

They are among the many hundreds forgotten by their owners and gathering dust in a Swindon photographic shop.

There are still around 400 uncollected packets of photographs at WB Photographic Ltd, in Victoria Road, dating as far back as 1988.

Within the packets are treasured moments from weddings to christenings, football match action to breathtaking holiday landscapes.

One photo shows a group of employees gathering together for a shot outside their workplace, while another shows a young man enjoying a Halloween party.

A third shows a man and two children in a pose with a foreign landscape behind them.

Many of the photographs have not been reclaimed, as many owners forgot they had even taken them in or ordered them.

But the Adver has had some success at reuniting them with their owners after Robert Townsend, of WB Photographic, asked us for help.

Stonemason Peter Setchell, from Castle Eaton, is the latest to come forward after recognising several pictures of himself and friends taken on a holiday in China.

The pictures included shots of the world-famous Terracotta Army, spectacular statues and pagoda-style buildings.

His wife Christine said: "We couldn't believe it when we saw the pictures in the newspaper, we always wondered what happened to those photos."

Last week, Jacqueline Camilleri also had a pleasant surprise when she recognised herself from some of the pictures we showed.

She said: "Things have changed so much now I've had three more children.

"But when I look at the photograph I feel as though I haven't changed at all over the years."

Mr Townsend said: "I am very surprised how people have reacted to the pictures many cannot believe they were forgotten about.

"They go back almost 14 years. Some people can't even remember taking them or bringing them in."

If you recognise any of the people in the forgotten photos ring the Adver newsdesk on 01793 501806.