84 years ago this month, Sunderland was entering some of the darkest days of its history.
The Second World War was under way and Wearside prepared by digging trenches, preparing air raid shelters, and drilling air raid wardens.
Mums were taught how to use respiratory masks on babies and children had their evacuation kits checked.
It's all here in these Sunderland Echo archive photos.
2. Preparing the trenches
Workmen laying the concrete for the A.R.P. trenches at Highfield Institution.
3. Flag practice
Signallers of the Jack Crawford Sea Cadet Corps practising near their Sunderland headquarters.
4. Examining the kit
A mistress at Bede School examines the pupils' kit at the evacuation rehearsal in September 1939.
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