A WAR-time photograph of a teenage girl playing on swings in Wotton-under-Edge has brought the 1940s to life for a group of students.

In January while visiting the Imperial War Museum in London a group of Year 9 history students from Katharine Lady Berkeley's School discovered a photograph on display of a young woman playing on swings in 1940s Wotton.

Kimberley Medcroft, head of history at Katharine Lady Berkeley's School, said: "We went to the museum to help the students understand the century we were studying.

"The children instantly recognised the swing in the picture and said it was Wotton but the teacher with them didn't think it was possible but there underneath the picture it said Wotton-under-Edge.

"We all thought it would be great if we could find this person in the picture and see if they still lived in the town. We showed the picture around the school and put an appeal in our school news letter.

"Weirdly one of the girls in one of my Year 9 groups, Georgina Arkell, who didn't come on the trip, said "that's my nan". It was such a coincidence."

The young woman, aged 14 when the picture was taken, was identified as Kathleen Golding now 76 but still living in Wotton.

Mrs Golding said: "I didn't even know the photograph was there. It was quite a surprise when they told me.

"I can just about remember it being taken. We went up to the playing fields and got on the swings and for some reason mine was chosen.

"We are going to try and go to the museum one Sunday to see it."

Since being told of the discovery Mrs Golding has given an interview to her great-granddaughter Georgina about life in war-time Wotton.

Mrs Golding has said she can clearly remember when a bomb was dropped in the field next to Blue Coat School and people dancing in the street and the parties laid on for children when the war ended.

Mrs Medcroft said: "It is great that we have been able to bring the two generations together.

"We are going to be looking at life during the Second World War and it is so much better when you've got personal example. We will be using Mrs Golding's stories and memories."