Bedfordshire retro: 29 of the most striking photos capturing a century of change across Bedfordshire

This arresting image from 1929 is one of a series of evocative black and white pictures capturing more than a century of change across the county.

From workers on the factory floor to the early days of the M1 motorway, via some of the region’s most famous landmarks crashing down, this retro photo gallery combines scenes of everyday life with the most dramatic moments from the dawn of the 20th century to more modern times.

Bustling town centres, remarkable aerial shots and the cutest animal photos from Whipsnade Zoo when times were very different all feature in this round-up of the best photos from down the decades.

The pictures celebrate the best of Bedfordshire, including its proud manufacturing heritage, producing everything from cars and chocolates to hats and even luminous knickers so bright that protective glasses were required by the workers handling them.

Do these photos bring back any memories for you?

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