THIS wonderful colourised picture shows Brighton’s Grand Old Lady, the West Pier, in her heyday, packed with trippers on a lovely sunny day.

It would not be long before war changed everything. Piers had their planks removed to prevent German forces landing and using them as a beach head. In Brighton, both piers were mined to stop enemy ships docking.

A mystery hole in Bevendean Crescent, Brighton, circa 1937

A mystery hole in Bevendean Crescent, Brighton, circa 1937

Still in the Thirties, we have a great shot of curious schoolboys and well-dressed men looking down a hole. Who knows what was down there. But we do know it was in Bevendean Crescent, pinpointed near numbers 32, 34, 36 and 38.

Lions at the circus in 1936, a scene that would cause outrage today

Lions at the circus in 1936, a scene that would cause outrage today

The circus picture makes for an upsetting scene – how far we have come in terms of animal welfare.

A tailor at work in 1936, the date confirmed by the calendar on the wall

A tailor at work in 1936, the date confirmed by the calendar on the wall

Our last picture shows a tailor hard at work in his cutting room. We know it is 1936 but it could be anywhere in Sussex. These photos have been colourised at www.spcolourcollection.com.