VIDEO BRINGS BYGONE TIMES TO LIFE 3 readers have commented on this story. Click here to read their views.

10:00 - 13 March 2007

Take a trip down memory lane and see how Grimsby has changed in 20 years. A group of friends and film enthusiasts - Tom MacNaught (38), of Cromwell Road, Grimsby; Mark Connor (38), of Darwin Court, Grimsby; John Bennett (38), of Yarborough Road, Grimsby; and Darren Powell (38), of Clifton Avenue, Grimsby - were returning a video camera to Radio Rentals in the town centre one sunny day in September 1987. They had been shooting amateur horror films with friends, a hobby of theirs. As they were driving into town they left the video running and caught what is now excellent footage of bygone times. The cars, fashions and haircuts capture the atmosphere of the era. The friends drive down Laceby Road, Nuns Corner, Bargate and past the rear of the St James' Hotel, before driving into town. They then stroll through the open-air Riverhead shopping precinct, the site of what is now Freshney Place. An excerpt of the fascinating video is now available to watch on www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk after they kindly allowed us to broadcast it. They have posted the full version on Youtube. Gary Stafford (37), of Grimsby, has helped produce the friends' website, www.gygg.co.uk which stands for Grimsby green gazebo - an invaluable item they have taken to many gigs over the years. Mr Stafford was a member of the group of friends in 1987, but he was working the day the footage was filmed. Mark who was driving the car that day, said: "We were just returning the video and my friend Tom was just messing about and using the tape up. "I think it is fascinating to watch now and see how the town and the road system has changed. "We all grew up on the Grange estate and you can see how that has changed. There used to be grass areas where we would play as kids. "I think a lot of people will find it interesting because it is a little bit of a stroll down memory lane." Watch the tape View an extract of the video they made at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk - just click on the video link.