IMAGES of Shipley both past and present have been shared on a website which now has more than 5,000 members from across the world.

Shipley Photographs and Memories has proved a popular page on Facebook, with pictures submitted and uploaded by people on a daily basis.

The photos of buildings and people from Shipley date back from the 1800s to the present day.

The page is the brainchild of Mickey Rhodes, of Fountain Way, Windhill, who set it up in July last year after not being able to find an online photographic showcase for Shipley's past.

He says the group has been receiving up to 100 requests a day to join, with people uploading their own photographs and memories of the town.

The page also features pictures of Saltaire, Baildon and Windhill.

It has also reunited friends and family members and group members have also had items including mobile phones and wallets which they have lost in Shipley, returned after posting a message on the page.

Mr Rhodes, 44, says the group also shows that community spirit continues, as people share their memories for a town they are proud of.

He said: "I was a member of a Bradford group on Facebook and a photo of the Carnegie Library in Windhill came up and generated a lot of interest.

"I could not find a Shipley historic group at all. So I thought I would start one up myself. I have lived in Shipley all my life.

"I did not expect it to do as well as it has.

"We now have more than 5,000 members, I never expected that at all. It has spiralled since it started.

"We have ex-pats, some people from Australia, the US and Scotland who have joined the group because they all love Shipley and it's still home to them.

"People often say that community spirit is dead but I totally disagree.

"Our ever growing group is a fine example of how a community can come together to help each other.

"People have made new friends through the group. That is something I'm proud of.

"I think the site uses Facebook in a positive way.

"We have had people joining Facebook, just to join the group.

"I have received countless messages from people thanking me for setting up this group. The people we have in it are fantastic.

"We don't just have old photographs on the page, we have current ones as well. These buildings will be old one day too."

The group is holding a get-together for its members, and anyone else who would like to attend, on Saturday, May 16, at the Salts Sports Association Bar, Saltaire, from 7pm.