South Marine Terrace, Mr Martin's home for 50 years

The pictures taken by Gwyn Martin, a well-known local man, were discovered hidden away in a chest of drawers.

Sales of his black-and-white photos, published in a book, are being used to raise funds for the town's lifeboat station.

Other pictures were donated to the National Library of Wales in the town after Mr Martin's death in 2001.

An avid rugby fan, who played for Cardiff, Llanelli and Aberavon in his younger days, Mr Martin served as a navigator in the RAF during World War II.

The book presents a remarkable picture of a world that is rapidly vanishing Lindy Martin

After earning the Distinguished Flying Medal in 1941, he and his crew were shot down over Norway in 1942 and he spent the rest of the war in a prisoner-of-war camp.

Mr Martin's family say his photography captured the essence of Aberystwyth life during the post war years and the book - A Stroll Around the Harbour - depicts its changing face from the 1950s to the 1980s.

His daughter Lindy Martin, a riding instructor from Devon, said: "When I found the pictures so carefully kept together, I wondered why he had done this.

"Having spoken to many people, I now realise he always intended to exhibit them but became too ill. It feels like his wish has finally been fulfilled."

Gwyn Martin was a keen photographer

She added: "The book presents a remarkable picture of a world that is rapidly vanishing.

"It joyously celebrates its characters, their workplaces, boats, haunts and glorious individuality and will delight all who have a place for Aberystwyth in their hearts."

Ms Martin decided to donate profits to the RNLI as a thank you to the volunteer crew at Aberystwyth lifeboat station and the harbour community for looking after her parents during their twilight years.

After the war, Mr Martin studied to be a pharmacist in university and he and his wife later ran Aberystwyth's chemists Taylor Lloyd.

Footsteps in the sand captured by Mr Martin near his home

He was also skipper of the town's rugby club and in 1982 he was made a life president.

Richard Polden, RNLI regional fundraising manager, said: "As a charity, which relies on voluntary contributions, the RNLI is delighted that profits from the sales of the book will be donated to Aberystwyth lifeboat station."

The annual running costs are around �110m - approximately �300,000 per day - and, as a registered charity, the organisation continues to rely on voluntary contributions and legacies for income, he said.