THE identities of some of the mystery sportsmen in old photographs found during the refurbishment of a building have been uncovered.

A shop on the corner of Market Hill and Bull Lane in Maldon will soon be opened as a new site for Dillys Bespoke Florist which is based in Colchester.

During the clearing of the building, photographs were found, believed to be from the previous owner, who had passed away.

Since publishing the pictures, many Maldon residents recognised themselves or people they knew in the pictures.

It is believed the photos were taken in 1962 as the owner of Ansell and Sons Butchers, Derek Raymond, recognised himself as one of the football players.

Mr Raymond said both the football team and cricket teams pictured played for Maldon Grammar School.

Alan Moss, who is now 91, used to teach at the Plume for many years and started when it was a grammar school.

Mr Moss believes the photographs were taken outside the upper school and he thinks the man in the suit on the far right is Dave Neil, a PE master who came from King Edwards in Chelmsford.

Others recognised the boy, second from the left in the back row as a young Derek Raymond who went on to play for Maldon Town.

Paul Whybrow was a student at Maldon Grammar School from 1963 and said that he believes the photographs were taken in the 1950s or early 1960s.

He recognised the adult on the far right as PE teacher Mr Neale, spelt differently to how Mr Moss spelt it.

Mr Whybrow said Mr Neale taught there when he attended the school himself.

In the cricket team photographs, he said the adult on the far right could have been Mr Harrison, who showed a lot of interest in the team when Mr Whybrow attended the school.

More photographs showing a group from the RAF, cubs and some more cricket and school photographs have been found in the building and are believed to be taken in the area.