A man is appealing for help to return "precious" photographs to a woman who left them in his care more than 30 years ago. 

Paul Wood, 52, of Roundhills Estate in Waltham Abbey is searching for the woman, who is only known to him as 'Tracey', after coming across a package of photos in his home that she left in his care before disappearing in 1982.

Mr Wood said the woman, who he met at the age of 19, moved on to Tiverton Road in Tottenham in the 80s as the 16-year-old girlfriend of another resident.

After just two months the teenager left the area after leaving the collection of family, school and personal photos with Mr Wood "for safe keeping".

Epping Forest Guardian:

Tracey (far left) left the photographs in Mr Wood's care in 1980.

Mr Wood said: "I was really into photography back then and when I met her I always had a camera.

"Before she left she asked me to take care of her photos, I had only met her a couple of times but she said that she knew I would look after them.

"She will be around 50-years-old now and I would really like to return the photographs to her.

Epping Forest Guardian:

Tracey (far right) will be around 50-years-old now.

"All I know is that her name was Tracey, she lived in Harlow and she previously attended Harlow St Albans Roman Catholic Primary School.

"One of the photographs has 'Tracey, Andrea and Paula, from Daddy' on the back.

"I know they were very precious to her.

Epping Forest Guardian:

One photograph has a message from her father.

“She left them with me for safe keeping.

"I discovered the photographs this morning while looking through some old files.

"I would love to return them."

If you recognise 'Tracey' from the photographs provided, please contact Georgia Diebelius on georgia.diebelius@london.newsquest.co.uk or on 07795 507 440.