Panorama

The bustling high streets of Britain were home to the early Woolworths shops, including this one in Bury St Edmonds.

The January sales always drew the crowds to the Woolworths in Leeds in the 1950s.

In 1967, this Woolworths in Kirkby New Town was still drawing the big crowds from all walks of life. The appeal to all income levels was seen as Woolworths' true strength.

In the final days of the 99-year-old firm, the crowds came back to hunt for bargains at closing down sales across the country.

The vacant Woolworths shops across Britain have plenty of company as other firms topple amid the recession.

One of the earliest till registers used in Woolworths is among the collection of former employee Paul Seaton. Mr Seaton has set up a Woolworths Reunited website to help former colleagues find work.

Memorabilia collector Paul Seaton has early pic 'n' mix offerings in his home museum.

Woolworths brought the Great War to its shoppers via postcards depicting the key protagonists onto its shop shelves.