Known as so-called ‘ghost signs’, these painted murals can be found on the exterior walls of some residential properties and businesses and give a nostalgic clue of what used to be there.
Here, resident Tim Sheerman-Chase shares the dozens he has been out and about photographing during lockdown – and he wants to discover more with your help.
Know another ghost sign we should add to this photo gallery? Tell us what you know in the Facebook comments. Which of Tim’s photographs is your favourite?

. A collage of Portsmouth's ghost signs
A collage of some of Portsmouth's interesting ghost signs, captured by Tim Sheerman-Chase. Photo: Tim Sheerman-Chase

. Albert Road, Southsea
A wall painted with SWS, which stands for static water supply. The sign was useful in the Second World War when fire crews needed to know the locations of guaranteed water supplies. Photo: Tim Sheerman-Chase

. Winter Road, Southsea
A newly-revealed sign for Ecko Radio in Winter Road, near the junction for Pretoria Road. Photo: Tim Sheerman-Chase

. WInter Road, Southsea
A newly-revealed sign for Ecko Radio in Winter Road, near the junction for Pretoria Road. Photo: Tim Sheerman-Chase

. Winter Road, Southsea
A faded sign above what is now Hashtag Hair in Winter Road, near the Westfield Road junction. Discernible words include: '94, English and Poultry.' Photo: Tim Sheerman-Chase

. Manners Road, Southsea
A faded ghost sign at the west end of Manners Road reads: 'Charles Ladies Gents'. Photo: Tim Sheerman-Chase

. Langstone Road, Milton
Another SWS sign, this time at the west end of Langstone Road. Photo: Tim Sheerman-Chase

. Victoria Road South, Southsea
You'll find a sign for 'W. R. Hutchings Auctioneer Estate Agent' in Victoria Road, near the Elm Grove junction. Photo: Tim Sheerman-Chase

. Victoria Road South, Southsea
A faded sign for Fintragh School in Victoria Road South, near the Hereford Road junction. Photo: Tim Sheerman-Chase

. Toronto Road, Buckland
This appears to be a faded sign, at the junction of Toronto Road and Balliol Road. Photo: Tim Sheerman-Chase

. St Edward's Road, Southsea
This sign by the Barley Mow pub reads: 'Ernest Smith, Upholsterer and Cabinet Maker'. Mr Smith's name is also on the clocktower above Tony Wood Hairdressing in Castle Road. Photo: Tim Sheerman-Chase

. Spice Island, Old Portsmouth
A view of the faded signs at the Spice Island pub, visible top-left and top-right. Photo: Tim Sheerman-Chase

. Spice Island, Old Portsmouth
Another view of the faded sign at the top-right of popular Old Portsmouth pub, Spice Island. Photo: Tim Sheerman-Chase

. Osborne Road, Southsea
A faded advert for the Grosvenor Hotel. The building is now the Grosvenor Halls of Residence, used by students at the International College Portsmouth. Photo: Tim Sheerman-Chase

. Albert Road, Southsea
An advert for the Clarence Hotel at what is now The Kings pub in Albert Road. Photo: Tim Sheerman-Chase

. Duncan Road, Southsea
This faded sign at the north end of Duncan road reads: 'Southsea Liberal Club. Affiliated to C&I Union.' Photo: Tim Sheerman-Chase

1. Albert Road, Southsea
A wall painted with SWS, which stands for static water supply. The sign was useful in the Second World War when fire crews needed to know the locations of guaranteed water supplies. Photo: Tim Sheerman-Chase

2. Winter Road, Southsea
A newly-revealed sign for Ecko Radio in Winter Road, near the junction for Pretoria Road. Photo: Tim Sheerman-Chase

3. WInter Road, Southsea
A newly-revealed sign for Ecko Radio in Winter Road, near the junction for Pretoria Road. Photo: Tim Sheerman-Chase

4. Winter Road, Southsea
A faded sign above what is now Hashtag Hair in Winter Road, near the Westfield Road junction. Discernible words include: '94, English and Poultry.' Photo: Tim Sheerman-Chase