10 pictures from the days before internet shopping, when every town had its own high street

How many of these shops of yesteryear do you remember?

It is that time of year, when shopping lists get ever-longer as Christmas draws nearer.

So what better excuse to step back into the Echo archives for pictures of shopping in our towns and villages through the years?

Many people now do all their festive gift shopping online, but that hasn't always been the case.

People were out and about and bumping into friends and neighbours in Sea Road, Fulwell, pictured here in 1967.

We thought we would take a look at shopping areas from the past, long before the internet, when going to the shops - or ordering from 'the catalogue' - were the only ways of buying presents.

These areas were buzzing with people buying their goods for the day, purchasing an item for the house and ticking something else off the gift list.

The majority of the shops in these areas were independent retailers; shops owned by families going back generations.

Sunderland, of course, had big stores such as Binns, Joplings and Blacketts, but also lots of smaller businesses. Do you recognise your shopping area?

We'd love to hear your memories of shopping on Wearside. Email [email protected]