A GORLESTON couple who have had more than 200 books published since the mid-1980s, are writing the definitive story of the battle of the East Coast, Air War Over The Nore, which will be published by Pen and Sword Books later in the year.

A GORLESTON couple who have had more than 200 books published since the mid-1980s, are writing the definitive story of the battle of the East Coast, Air War Over The Nore, which will be published by Pen and Sword Books later in the year.

And Jon Sutherland and Diane Canwell are asking East Anglians to send them copies of any photographs they may have tucked away in their lofts or chests of drawers and any recollections of attacks by German (and Italian) planes in the second world war.

Diane, who was born and brought up in Gorleston, said: “Our deadline is, suitably, D-Day (June 6) 2009. We would be delighted to credit anyone for the use of their photographs if they are kind enough to give us permission to use them. We are sure that there are hundreds of unseen treasures out there.”

This year is the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the second world war and East Anglia was Britain's Eastern Front for six years. Villages, towns and cities up and down the coast from Deal in the south to Bridlington in the north withstood a coastal blitz and threat of invasion.

Anyone who has memories to share, or a photograph they would like to send on to Jon and Diane, should email Mercury reporter alan.thompson2@archant.co.uk - and we'll pass your details on.