Hundreds of pictures were put on show at one of the shelters in the gardens. The event was organised by Scarboro-ugh's Civic Society.

Member Austen Sleight-holme had compiled the collection by copying old postcards and photographs that had been given to him.

On the same day Mayor Bill Chatt officially launched a free leaflet about the gardens around South Cliff to help visitors explore the historic area.

It was produced by the Friends of South Cliff Gardens, and includes a large map. It is available at tourist information centres and many hotels.

Civic society chairman Adrian Perry said: "The event was absolutely fantastic. I would have been perfectly happy with tens of people coming along but we had hundreds!"

The society also benefited from £70 in donations throughout the day.

It is now hoped the exhibition will be repeated in August.

Mr Sleightholme said: "The whole idea of the exhibition was to show the gardens past and present – the evolution of the gardens." He said the majority of the postcards were from the turn of the last century but there were also a few modern ones."