Pictures from decades ago show the ghosts of Christmases past

Long gone are some of the familiar shops such as Etam, K shoes and British Home Stores, which closed in 2016.

Reflections restaurant reached by the glass lift closed in 2015 and the popular fountains ceased in 2010.

Spot the man in blue with a fishing net and bucket collecting tossed in coins for charity and the two security guards in grey uniform with peaked caps. As a photographer I much preferred the more colourful clothes which seem to have been replaced now by dull black puffer coats and jackets.

I took the street picture in December 1980 at 4.50pm according to the clock above Ratners, which closed down in 1993. Note ghostly figures rushing by on the pavements and standing at the bus stop with red tail lights reflecting how Bridge Street was still a road until it was pedestrianised around 1982.

Eagle eyed readers and old Peterborians will spot those familiar but now departed high street shops such as VisionHire where TVs were rented out, the Eastern Electricity shop, Currys, Dorothy Perkins, Lavells, Foster Brothers and Marks & Spencer.

My various books are available on December 19, 20, 23 and 24 at my signings in the Peterborough City Hospital atrium. Also available in the Up the Garden Bath Unity gifts shop in Queensgate with a book signing there on December 21.

Just published are Barking 2! and Streets of America, also from my website www.chrisporsz.com.