The factory buzzes with the activity of an industrial workforce. A woman strikes a sexy pose in what, by today’s standards, is the most modest of underwear.

The daily lives of the factory workers in question, captured in these black and white photographs, are to be re-enacted in a new musical play to be performed in the county.

The play will focus on the lingerie company Silhouette.

The company once stood in Harlescott, Shrewsbury, but closed in the early 1980s.

The play is to be performed in Shrewsbury’s new Theatre Severn and at Market Drayton’s Festival Centre in November, and organisers are appealing for former Silhouette employees to contribute their memories to the storyline.

Writer Chris Eldon-Lee said: “They came to Shrewsbury during the war. Originally they were in a building in Tankerville Street then they moved to Coton Hill and then in the mid-50s they built this new factory in Harlescott.

“There was well over 1,000 women working in the Shrewsbury factory at any one time. We think there are between three and 5,000 women in Shrewsbury who have worked at Silhouette.”

Mr Eldon-Lee said he and producer Maggie Love, who have been commissioned to create the show by the Made in Shrewsbury group, are now interviewing former members of staff about their experiences.

A coffee morning has also been arranged for January 17 for Silhouette workers to swop stories.

Silhouette was a major supplier to M&S. Anyone who would like to attend the Silhouette coffee morning or contribute to the project in any way should call (01743) 363365 during office hours.

By Rhea Parsons