A search is on to track down the relatives of a mystery couple in a photograph taken in New Malden more than 85 years ago.

Surrey Comet:

The photo of the couple was placed behind a picture of policeman Cifford Oswald Tayler

Roger and Shirley Wilding were going through old photographs when they found the 1920’s picture under another old photo in a frame.

The picture was placed behind a photo of Mrs Wilding’s policeman father leading children across the road in 1929.

Mr and Mrs Wilding now live in Countesthorpe in Leicestershire but are keen to reunite the photograph with the family of the people in it.

Mr Wilding said: "My wife is turning 80 this month and I was taking the photograph of my wife’s father out of the frame because I’ve been doing a bit of photoshopping and thought it would be nice to restore it.

"Then we noticed the other photo behind it.

"We have no idea who this couple could be but because the photo has been hidden for all this time it’s in really good condition.

"We don’t know about the history of it at all."

Surrey Comet:

Mr and Mrs Wilding (above) and Mrs Wildings father who served in the navy during WW1 and later in the MET police based in Southwark Police station 

The only clues Mr Wilding has are the photo was taken by Hide &Co of New Malden and the name Mrs Wells is pencilled on the back of the image.

The word ‘Hill’ as part of the address can also be made out in faded pencil.

Mr Wilding added: "I just think it is something that the relatives of whoever is in the photo would be delighted to have because it’s in such great condition and photos from that time are so rare.

"I really hope we can track them down and return it to its rightful owner."