PHOTOGRAPHS of a Cudworth couple which were saved from a bonfire have been returned to their daughters after they were recognised in last week’s Chronicle.

Kath Kershaw, of Snydale Road, Cudworth found the photographs, as well as a payslip from 1973, which was tucked inside an old suitcase bought by her daughter from a local charity shop.

Having had a clear-out, the 60-year-old threw the suitcase on a fire but she decided to check its contents before the flames took hold.

The couple photographed is Edith and Wilf Wafer, parents of Margaret Bissell, who was shocked when she opened last week’s paper to see her mum and dad staring back.

Margaret, 65, of Eastfield Crescent, Mapplewell, said: “It was a big surprise so I immediately rang my sister, Pauline. The photo was taken on May 23, 1946 and that was just months before Pauline was born in October so my mother must have been pregnant in that photo.

“It was incredible to see and very interesting. I immediately recognised the photo as I have seen it before as they are both dressed up smart which leads me to believe they were on their way to a dance.”

Wilf, of Cudworth, served in the Second World War and had been back in England for a year before he had a three-year stint in India. He died aged 61 of a heart attack. Edith, originally from Carlton, died aged 73, also of a heart attack.

The payslip, which bears the name ‘Wafer, N’ and is dated July 31, 1973, belonged to Margaret and Pauline’s auntie, Nora.

“She was a psychiatric nurse,” Margaret added. “Nora lived in Cudworth but it’s an amazing thing to find as it’s more than 40 years old and is a great piece of our family’s history.”

Kath added: “It’s a great story as they could have easily have been lost if I hadn’t checked so I’m glad the family was able to be reunited with them.”