A CALENDAR which recreates famous photographs of Chipping Sodbury’s best known streets and landmarks has gone on sale in the town.

The Then and Now 2016 calendar features 14 pictures by local photographer Rich McDonough, which copy those taken by renowned snapper Murray Dowding who captured the changing features of the town in the early 20th century.

Each page of the calendar shows an original Dowding shot of a section of Chipping Sodbury’s medieval High Street or country view alongside Mr McDonough’s up to date picture of the same scene.

“I have wanted to do this for years,” said Mr McDonough, vice-chairman of Chipping Sodbury Chamber of Commerce which produced the calendar.

“I have recreated the pictures as best I could but Murray Dowding had a funny habit of climbing on roves or scaffolding so that was interesting.

“The cameras used in those days were very different to how we take pictures now. It has been fascinating.”

Mr McDonough chose which shots he would recreate from Murray Dowding’s extensive collection of pictures from the local area with help from Chipping Sodbury historian Jim Elsworth.

After a shortlist of 30, the final 14 were chosen and include Rounceval Street, Horse Street, a view over fields from Old Sodbury and military personnel assembled in Broad Street during World War One.

A particularly difficult picture to copy was one of Chipping Sodbury’s clock tower as the structure was moved slightly further down High Street before additional rooms were built around it.

Said Mr Elsworth: "Often, when I have looked at my extensive collection of old local photographs I have thought that I should get on and create a calendar with them.

“As soon as the chamber suggested the idea I was keen to participate.

“Rich McDonough's modern pictures compliment the old images perfectly and I'm sure the production will be a success.”

Nine hundred copies of the calendar have been printed and are now on sale at Tourist Information Centre and at Chipping Sodbury Post Office priced at £6. The chamber has launched the calendar much earlier than in previous years in order to appeal to the summer tourist market. Costs have been covered by business sponsorship of each month on the calendar so all profits will go back into the chamber to help promote Chipping Sodbury.

Additional pictures not included in the calendar may be used to form an exhibition in the town next year.