A RHOS on Sea historian has compiled a book on the changing face of Colwyn Bay.
Graham Roberts, 66, who worked for his family's business, T Conchar & Sons funeral directors, for more than 40 years, has published his latest book on the seaside resort.
Colwyn Bay Through Time features pictures of Colwyn Bay over the past century and contrasts historical images with pictures of the sites today.
Mr Roberts, of Allanson Road, said: “There are two pictures on each page, an old picture of a scene and a new picture so you can see the changes over the years.
“What is great is the idea that people can see immediately the old picture and the new picture. With just old pictures it is sometimes difficult to relate to where they were taken.
“I have lived here all my life. I became a teacher in Somerset, then my father twisted my arm to come back here and run the family business.
“I’m interested in local history. I started to look back and became interested in the development of the town. I took an interest and it started there.
“It is very enjoyable doing it. I enjoy meeting the old residents of Colwyn Bay who are only too happy to reminisce.”
Mr Roberts has amassed a huge collection of pictures of the town and is already looking towards a second volume.
He said: “I have got hundreds of pictures of the town and I have been taking pictures over the last 30 years. It is surprising the changes that have taken place, even over the last ten years.
“I think I could do another book similar to this one, we could do another volume.
“The Ministry of Food was run from Colwyn Bay during the Second World War. If the Germans had dropped a bomb on Colwyn Bay instead of Coventry, there would have been more chaos. I could do a book for the period during the war.”
And with Colwyn Bay set to benefit from a regeneration boost through the North Wales Costal Strategic Regeneration Area (SRA) fund, more change is on the way.
“People are down about Colwyn Bay, but I can see it changing. I am optimistic it is changing for the better,” added Mr Roberts.
Colwyn Bay Through Time is available at W H Smith, selected newsagents in Colwyn Bay and Old Colwyn and Amazon.co.uk.
For more information contact 01492 548407.