The present invention is in the field of imaging and more specifically image analysis. An object of the invention is to provide for a method which restores a digitized image or a series of digitized images automatically, by eliminating straight or virtually straight scratches in the images. The method of the invention eliminates scratches in still or animated digital images by using the residual image information in the altered areas of the images. This method can be used in the field of the restoration of films and television documents and for retouching and restoring photographic images.