PEOPLE with pictures showing life in East Sussex during the First World War are urged to submit them for a photographic project aimed at bringing the past to life.

East Sussex County Council’s First World War website has launched a new feature showing photographs taken during the conflict, overlaying a modern image taken from the same perspective.

The merged images, created by Kieron Pelling, of Hastings-based Compelling Photography, will be part of an ongoing series on the website and depict scenes from Hastings and St Leonards.

However, the council is also asking people to submit photographs from around East Sussex which show how the area was affected by the war.

Pictures should be those taken between 1914 and 1919, if possible, and should include a feature which is still present today, such as a building, road or landmark.

Cllr Keith Glazier, county council leader, said: “When people think of the First World War, thoughts usually turn to the battles which raged in the fields of Flanders.

“What these photographs really convey is how the war was something which directly affected East Sussex and the country as a whole, and was an everyday presence in people’s lives.

“By combining the past and the present, the pictures bring home in vivid fashion the momentous events which took place on the streets we walk down today.”

The first batch of pictures shows scenes including troops marching to war through the streets of Hastings, RAF cadets outside their lodgings, and men and officers of the St John Ambulance Brigade outside their headquarters.

The pictures can be seen on the website at www.eastsussexww1.org.uk while people who would like to submit images can do so by emailing info@eastsussexww1.org.uk or writing to Chris Kempshall, East Sussex County Council, County Hall, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1UE.

Images submitted electronically should be in jpeg format with a resolution of at least 300dpi to ensure it can be viewed clearly on the website.