PHOTOGRAPHS from The Chronicle's extensive archive feature in a vast online collection now available from Reading Museum.

Historic pictures taken between 1938 and 1964, have been chosen to give online visitors a chance to step down memory lane and see how Reading developed through and grew after the Second World War.

The Collections Online project, founded last year and made up of nearly 2,000 photographs, also explores natural history and includes a range of archaeological artefacts, paintings and sculptures to view on the museum's website.

Objects from Africa, North America and South America and South East Asia are just some of many treasured pieces on show.

Cllr Paul Gittings, the borough's leader for culture, sport and consumer protection said: “This amazing new online resource gives people even greater digital access to the Museum’s important local and international collections. "There are many unique and unusual treasures to be discovered from Reading’s past.

“It has been achieved through an ongoing partnership between Reading Museum and the Museum of English Rural Life, thanks to generous funding from Arts Council England.”

To see the collection go to http://collections.readingmuseum.org.uk