OLD picture postcards of Swindon street scenes could prove a veritable goldmine, according to a national auctioneer.

Scenes containing early cars or trams can be quite valuable, say Warwick and Warwick Auctioneers and Valuers.

That is why the company is visiting Swindon to advise people on values and offer a vending service for those who want to sell their treasures.

These photographs show Wood Street in 1909 and Regent Street in 1920 and they could be worth between £5 and £7.

Colin Such, a director and postcard valuer at the company, said the rarer the postcard the more it would be worth.

He said: "The smaller the location, the more valuable the card. For example scenes of city centres could be quite low in value but cards of a small village scene showing village life could be worth between £5 and £15 depending on the degree of animation.

"Other cards could depict a particular subject such as a suffragette procession or a meeting in the town centre. That could be worth up to £200.

"I have a collection of canal postcards with scenes of a working narrow boat. Those types of industrial scenes were not so sellable when they were produced in the first half of the 20th century but now they would be worth something."

The free valuations will be taking place at the Holiday Inn, Marlborough Road, Swindon, between 10am and 3pm on September 26 and at the Ivy House Hotel, High Street, Marlborough, between 11am and 3pm on Tuesday.

Call Colin on 01926 499031 for more information.

www.warwickandwarwick.com