A LANDMARK photography project is shining a spotlight on life in Lancashire, from the 1930s to 1990s.

Father and son, Wally and Howard Talbot, worked as news photographers and took thousands of images from across the county, collated in The Talbot Archive.

It is full of historic black and white photographs and catalogues Lancashire life as well as capturing historic events such visits from the Queen, Winston Churchill, Mick Jagger and Mahatma Gandhi.

Now staff and students from the BA(Hons) Photography course at The University Centre at Blackburn College are helping preserve the area's social, industrial and architectural heritage, as seen through the lens of the acclaimed photographers.

In partnership with the Talbot family and Blackburn Library, they have been digitally archiving thousands of the photographs to preserve the 'essential piece' of social history.

Programme-makers from BBC’s Flog It are set to view the collection and film a feature on the project when they visit Blackburn on January 25.

Wally, who was born in Blackburn in 1914, started work when he was 14 at the Northern Daily Telegraph and became one of their first staff photographers before working with his son in photography from the 1930s until he died in 1994.

Howard said: “I am absolutely delighted that our collection will be preserved for future generations to see.

“My father, Wally, and I worked across all areas of news, sports and commercial photography so the collection showcases a wide range of local people, places and activities.

“Each image captures a snapshot of Lancashire life and celebrates places of significance within Blackburn’s history, many of which have since changed beyond recognition.

“Many of the images have come from our private collection, which we hadn’t initially intended to share.

“It is very satisfying to know that these images will be shared with local people, especially as many will have personal connections and memories of Blackburn’s heritage.”

A two-day Talbot Conference will be held at Blackburn College's University Centre to celebrate the project, on Saturday, February 24 and Sunday, February 25.

John Harrison, head of art and society at the University Centre at Blackburn College, said: “The Talbot Archive is such an important collection of social documentary photography and will provide our students with invaluable experience in partaking in landmark projects.

"Already our staff and students at the University Centre at Blackburn College have so far, scanned and edited over 6,000 images.

“We are passionate about creating links between education and the local community and proud to be part of this project along with Blackburn Museum as it is vital that we preserve these images for future generations."

Places for the free Talbot Conference are fully booked. To register for the waiting list, visit www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-talbot-conference-tickets-41210348261