PRECIOUS old photographs salvaged from attics have won a top accolade at Big Chip 8, the biggest ICT and new media awards outside London.

West Bank Heritage Project collected an incredible 1,000 pictures, capturing family life and memories of this once-bustling close-knit community over the past century.

Its nostalgic website, which has attracted 18,000 visitors from all over the world, was highly commended in the not-for-profit category.

"We're really chuffed to win this award," said John Yates, who started the project after being inundated with old photographs at a flower festival, in St Mary's, in 2003.

"If we hadn't captured these pictures, they would have been lost forever."

Sean Fensom, chairman of Manchester Digital, said: "I think it's amazing that a website commissioned by a Heritage Lottery-funded community project has achieved the same level of excellence as huge organisations such as the BBC, Toyota and Sainsburys.

"It's a credit to the unique personality of West Bank, which captured the imagination of web designers and the commitment of so many people in the community to the project, which made it such a success."

So many pictures were donated after John's appeal, the project published a book, recorded a DVD and created a website.

Reading Room, the web design agency which designed the site, invited the group to the north west industry's digital awards ceremony.

The image gallery gives a fascinating glimpse of poverty-stricken families growing up amid the flourishing chemical industry, when immigrant workers from all over Europe flocked to West Bank.

"It was a deprived place," recalled West Banker John.

"We had two-ups and two- downs. There were seven people in our family. There was no hot water, no gas, no inside toilet, no bathroom and no money.

"It was a poor but honest community. You could leave your doors open."

Street parties and processions often filled the terraced streets, decked with bunting for special occasions.

Numerous churches, shops, pubs and even a cinema and beach meant residents had everything they needed on their own doorstep.

The Old Transporter bridge brought a constant flood of people into the heart of their community.

"The response we've had to our website has been really, really fantastic," said John.

"We're getting e-mails all the time from people who have been searching for their relatives for years.

"This is the missing link that has put people in touch with their loved ones."

View the photographs at westbankheritage.org.uk