It was once home to 2,500 people, 13 pubs, three schools, two churches, shops and cafés.

And Lowestoft’s long-lost fishing village is set to be the focus of a new pop-up photographic exhibition.

Rare archive photos will be displayed in the special exhibition showcasing an area of the town known as The Grit, providing an insight into the past, present and future of the area's connection to the sea.

Lowestoft Journal: Row of houses on The Grit, 19-33 Wilde's Street, in the 1960s. Picture: Jack Rose CollectionRow of houses on The Grit, 19-33 Wilde's Street, in the 1960s. Picture: Jack Rose Collection (Image: Jack Rose Collection)

Curated by Dean Parkin, The Grit: The Photographs will take centre stage at The Grit Arts Centre in Old Nelson Street, Lowestoft for two days only – on Saturday, September 9 and Tuesday, September 12 – as it forms part of the Heritage Open Days festival running throughout the town.

The exhibition will feature more than 40 photographs, including new finds from the collections of Jack Rose and Bert Collyer and a selection from the book of 'The Grit', co-written by Mr Parkin and Mr Rose.

Originally published in 1997, it quickly became a local bestseller with a redesigned second edition – with 100 new photographs, extra interviews, an additional chapter plus specially commissioned illustrations by Paula White – published in 2019.

Lowestoft Journal: View overlooking Lowestoft's fishing village, 1954. Picture: Jack Rose CollectionView overlooking Lowestoft's fishing village, 1954. Picture: Jack Rose Collection (Image: Jack Rose Collection)

Mr Parkin said: "It's great to get a chance to share these wonderful old photographs of Lowestoft's fishing village at The Grit Arts Centre — the super local venue that has taken its name from the village.

"It's been such a pleasure to sort through the photos again and pick out my favourites.

"There's some fantastic views of the fishing industry at work – it'll be a real treasure trove."

Lowestoft's fishing village - known as either the Beach Village or The Grit - declined after the Second World War, the 1953 flood and the demise of the fishing industry with the area cleared in the 1960s as new industries moved in.

Copies of The Grit book are available at paper-works* shop in The Grit Arts Centre and Mr Parkin will be at the exhibition on both days to sign copies.