It can be hard to imagine what life would have been like in the decades gone by.

But this series of advertisements from our 1940s archives can provide glimpses into the past.

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They can show us more about peoples' family dynamics, how they prepared their food and what they missed most in times of hardship such as Second World War rationing.

Take a moment now to step back in time by browsing the gallery below.

Eastern Daily Press: Colman's - a local treasureColman's - a local treasure (Image: Colman's/Archant Library)

Eastern Daily Press: OXO was branded here as 'first aid for the larder'OXO was branded here as 'first aid for the larder' (Image: OXO/Archant Library)

Eastern Daily Press: An ode to Nestle's milk...An ode to Nestle's milk... (Image: Nestle/Archant Library)

Eastern Daily Press: 'Available only within a limited area until removal of restrictions''Available only within a limited area until removal of restrictions' (Image: Jacob's/Archant Library)

Eastern Daily Press: Still a dinnertime stapleStill a dinnertime staple (Image: Sarson's/Archant Library)

Eastern Daily Press: 'Whenever the present control of distribution is withdrawn''Whenever the present control of distribution is withdrawn' (Image: Macfarlane Lang & Co/Archant Library)

Eastern Daily Press: 'Always budget points for Quaker Puffed Wheat''Always budget points for Quaker Puffed Wheat' (Image: Quaker Oats/Archant Library)

Eastern Daily Press: 'Potatoes keep you fighting fit!''Potatoes keep you fighting fit!' (Image: Archant Library)

Eastern Daily Press: This ad, from the second week of the ration period, explains how to cook fishThis ad, from the second week of the ration period, explains how to cook fish (Image: Archant Library)

Eastern Daily Press: Lucozade - 'the tonic you can trust'. Available in chemists.Lucozade - 'the tonic you can trust'. Available in chemists. (Image: Lucozade/Archant Library)

Which one is your favourite?