A FORMER shopgirl has shed light on the history of a sweetshop and cafe after adverts dating back to the first half of the 20th century were found painted on the side of a building in Clacton.

Adverts for Ambrosia, Black Cat Cigarettes and breakfasts, teas and coffees were painted onto the side of what is now Sheen’s estate agents, on the corner of Old Road and Meredith Road.

The discovery of old adverts has fired up people’s imaginations.

It has led to a flurry of interest about the history of the building and calls for them to be preserved.

Read the Clacton Gazette for a special Memories feature on the shop as it used to be, and the origins of the revealed adverts.