article_snippet.sent: The tradition of Easter eggs can be traced back to the years following the First World War when the Smarties Easter Egg (pictured left) was adopted as a symbol of new life and hope.
article_snippet.sent: Prior to that chocolatiers had made chocolate fish, chickens and shoes at Easter because these were accepted symbols of the celebrations.
article_snippet.sent: a poster advertises Yorkie Easter in 1980.The Easter Egg can be traced back to WWI when eggs symbolised new life and hope .
article_snippet.sent: Since then chocolate Easter eggs have been a staple in households across the country.
article_snippet.sent: Alex Hutchinson, historian and archivist at Nestle, said: 'Prior to First World War people would celebrate Easter with chocolate fish and chickens which were symbols of the Christian story of Easter.
article_snippet.sent: We also made chocolate shoes, which were pagan symbols of a tradition in the north of England whereby people would buy new shoes and bonnets to wear to church at Easter. '
article_snippet.sent: After the First World War We reintroduced the Easter egg in 1922.
article_snippet.sent: The eggs symbolised the spring, new life and hope. '
article_snippet.sent: Easter eggs became hugely popular and the rest is history. '
highlights_snippet.sent: Prior to WWI, people celebrated Easter with chocolate fish and chickens .