These photos recall the splendour of Whitley Bay at the turn of the twentieth century and into the 1950s, during the town’s heyday as a seaside resort.

All of these images are due to be published in a new book by local author and historian Charlie Steel this autumn.

The book – Whitley Bay Remembered – charts the history of the town from its first mention in 1100 through to the present day.

Featuring dozens of spectacular photos, the book gives a unique insight into the town’s history.

Originally known as Whitley, the town later changed its name to Whitley Bay after confusion with the town of Whitby in Yorkshire in the 1890s often caused mail to be misdirected.

Whitley’s popularity as a holiday destination saw visitor numbers rapidly rise in the late-1800s at the same time as its chief industry of coalmining declined.

In his book, Mr Steel writes: “Its popularity with holidaymakers was helped by the opening of the North Tyne Loop railway line in 1882, connecting the coastal villages to Newcastle which led to the rapid growth of Whitley as both a seaside resort and a commuter town.”

The loop, which ran the same course as today’s Metro line, saw thousands of visitors flocking to the town to embrace the sea and beaches.

Mr Steel writes: “The line followed the route of the present Metro line, and necessitated the building of a new railway station in the centre of the town, as well as another at Monkseaton.”

Both stations are still in use today as Metro stations.

These photographs show scores of bathers on the beach making use of the old bathing machines in 1910 – at the same time as Whitley Bay saw the opening of its now famous Pleasure Gardens.

In its heyday the Gardens, and their landmark dome, drew thousands of visitors.

The spectacle incorporated a theatre, roof garden, shops and tearooms and fronted the famous ‘Spanish City’ fairground.

Now a Grade-II listed building, it is currently undergoing a period of internal refurbishment, which is part of a wider regeneration of North Tyneside’s coast.

Later photographs from the 1950s show the town’s continued popularity with visitors as they are seen queuing at Whitley Bay railway station on their return home from a day’s outing.

Others are seen in Whitley Road, a once thriving shopping centre which included the old Coliseum cinema.

Mr Steel’s previous books include Tynemouth Remembered, Monkseaton Village and North Shields Public Houses, Inn and Taverns. He is currently writing fortnightly features for The Journal on the history of the English pub.

Whitley Bay Remembered will be published in two parts by Summerhill books with part one available this autumn from local booksellers.

To buy a wide range of nostalgia books and DVDs visit www.chroniclelive.co.uk/shop , telephone 0191 2016000, or call into our front reception, Groat Market, Newcastle Upon Tyne. NE1 1ED.