A regional daily is selling original photographs of legendary rock musicians as it prepares to make an archive of more than 30,000 available online.

Last month Brighton daily The Argus announced it was planning to put all surviving images taken between 1929 and 1992 by its photographers on its website.

The archive’s digital transfer was unveiled at a launch event on Friday afternoon, with hundreds of the images put on public display at an exhibition held at Brighton’s Grand Hotel.

Now The Argus is set to hold a similar event today and tomorrow – with photographs of stars including The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Tom Jones and Barry Manilow being exhibited and available to buy.

A photo of Eric Clapton from The Argus’s archive

The archive has been curated by Andy Garth and his team at Brighton and Hove Stuff as well as archivists at The Keep in Moulsecoomb.

Argus editor Arron Hendy told readers: “When we moved to [new offices at] Manchester Street at the end of last year it forced us into finally reorganising all our pictures and Andy and his team have unearthed some real treasures.

“I’m a Rolling Stones fan myself so I am particularly excited about this discovery. I’ve seen them and they give you a snapshot of a time when you could still see them at smaller, more intimate shows.

“You can of course still search for your favourite pub or sports stars too.”

The event will raise money for children’s charity Rockinghorse and The Argus Appeal.