Vintage photographs show Battersea through the years, from war damage to the construction of its iconic power station

These fascinating vintage photographs show what life was like in Battersea in the first half of the 20^th century.

The historic black and white photos give a glimpse of Londoners in the south-west London district, as it was undergoing incredible transformations.

One image from 1935 shows the now famous Battersea Power station on the banks of the River Thames while it was being constructed.

Another striking image, taken a little later on in 1951, shows the station from another angle, as the rest of the capital is seen lit up in the background.

London at night in 1951 (Getty Images)

Construction on the station started in 1929 and was completed in 1939, establishing the district as an industrial area in London.

A more glamourous side of the area can be seen as well, as actresses Sandra Dorne and Jane Hylton are pictured taking a motorboat out on a lake in Battersea Park in 1951.

Actresses Sandra Dorne (1924 - 1992, left) and Jane Hylton (1927 - 1979) (Getty Images)

Revellers can also be seen enjoying a traditional Punch & Judy show in Battersea Pleasure Gardens.

Londoners enjoying Battersea Park (Getty Images)

As well as Londoners having fun, vintage snaps tracked down by the Standard also show the destruction caused by the Blitz, as parts of Battersea were badly hit.

One image from this era shows Prime Minister Winston Chuchill inspecting air raid damage, as he and a small crowd of people clamber over bricks and wood fragments, in September 1940.

Winston Churchill inspecting the damage (Getty Images)

The night time bombing raids, which began in September 1940, followed the failure of the German Luftwaffe to defeat Britain’s Royal Air Force in the Battle of Britain, from July 1940 until September.