If the Wombles ever built a web site, it might just look something like the latest new media sensation, launched from a Brighton bedroom.

Anyone who has lost a photograph of themselves or wondered where their shopping list disappeared to should take a look at the Is This You? site.

Consisting mainly of photos left in public booths and hastily scribbled notes lost on the street, the site aims to reunite people with their forgotten bits and pieces.

Is This You? was launched four years ago by a Brighton-born 32-year-old who developed a habit of picking up other people's discarded photos.

Six months ago the father-of-two, who prefers to keep his identity secret, left London to return to Brighton and found rich pickings for his hobby were not confined to the pavements of the capital.

Now the site's founder, who lives near Preston Park and works in advertising, is watching in astonishment as his idea catches on.

Even the New York Times has mentioned the site.

The man, who prefers to go by the name Isthisyou, says: "It all started because I kept finding photos and stuff and wondering who these people were and if it would be possible to get in touch with them.

"The internet seemed the perfect medium.

"I liked the idea I was in a huge city but could find these very intimate pieces of paper that in some way brought you into contact with strangers.

"I built up quite a collection and then people I know, and don't know, started sending me things they had found.

"A lot of the time they say they've had it in their wallet for three years or something. It certainly seems to have touched a nerve."

The items displayed on the site range from shopping lists and love letters to torn up Valentine's cards and someone's school homework.

Among the items found in Sussex are half a Valentine's card found in The Drive, Hove, possibly addressed to a Kevin; a train ticket with a list of flowers scrawled on it found at Haywards Heath station; a list of apparently random numbers found in Beaconsfield Villas, Brighton; and someone's romantic ramblings found on a scrunched up piece of paper at Hove station.

One yellow Post-It note says: "Didn't I tell you my mum always rings when I'm stoned?"

The site's founder says: "One of my favourites is the note from a guy waiting for a woman.

He is telling the woman he has tried calling her all day and has waited outside for hours but is going home now because his hands are turning blue."

View the site at www.isthisyou.co.uk - you never know, you could be on it.