A FORGOTTEN roll of film discovered inside a 90-year-old camera has revealed a series of previously unseen photographs and sparked a growing mystery about who took them.

The find came after a budding photographer bought a vintage camera for £10 from an ALABARÉ charity shop in Wilton, intending it simply as a decorative addition to his desk.

Once home, he realised the 1930s Zeiss Ikon Baby Ikonta still contained used film.

Curious to see whether anything could be salvaged, he took the camera to Salisbury Photo Centre, where general manager Ian Scott carefully examined the roll and decided it was worth attempting to develop.

Using gentle techniques to avoid damaging the fragile negatives, Ian slowly coaxed the images, believed to be more than 70 years old, into view – with unexpectedly successful results.

“With old film, you never quite know what condition it might be in or whether it has been damaged by light or dust over time,” he said.

“It was amazing how clearly the photos came out after so many years!”

The photographs appear to show a family skiing holiday to St Moritz, Switzerland, with several images taken outside the iconic Badrutt’s Palace Hotel.

Skier outside St Moritz. (Image: Fujifilm)

Several skiers are pictured wearing numbered bibs sponsored by Cow & Gate, suggesting they were taking part in an organised competition rather than simply holidaying.

Skiers on slopes. (Image: Fujifilm)

After Salisbury Photo Centre shared the images on social media, the story quickly gained attention, including a response from Cow & Gate itself.

The company commented: “These are amazing, what a glimpse into the past! It’s so special to see Cow & Gate featured in memories like this. Thanks for bringing these unseen images back to life.”

Alongside the winter scenes, another photograph has added to the intrigue.

It shows around 18 women enjoying tea in the garden of what appears to be an English manor house, thought to have been taken during the summer months.

Ladies lunch.

Where and when the image was captured remains unknown.

Speculation online has ranged from guesses about the era to theories about the family involved, with one follower suggesting a possible link to the Gates family.

Ian hopes that continued sharing of the photographs may eventually help identify the people behind them.

“There appears to be a great story behind these photographs, and it would be brilliant if someone could recognise a face amongst them,” he said.

“At the very least, it has been a privilege to have played a small part in preserving these moments from the past.”