For some time now Michael Craske and Roger Silver have been investigating the history of the many mineral water and ginger beer manufacturers in Great Yarmouth and have discovered the stories behind about 100 of them.

"In 1973, I along with thousands of other people throughout the country, spent weekends digging for old bottles on Victorian and Edwardian refuse dumps, at the time these bottles would have been thrown away within living memory of our grandparents," says Michael.

Bottle diggers, Michael Craske and Rey Beck, on a dig at Eastcourt Road.(Image: Supplied)

"Over many decades, a wide range of Great Yarmouth bottles have been discovered, produced by many different manufacturers," he adds.

He was fortunate to be good friends with another local man, the late Des Woodhouse, who had a large collection of rare bottles, many the only known examples within the bottle collecting circle.

An advert for FW. James celebrated aerated........

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