A HERITAGE centre has been awarded £7,000 for a project to remember the residents of its town who lived through the First World War.

The Wotton Historical Society and Heritage Centre has been given the money by the Heritage Lottery Fund to “preserve the memories and heritage” of those who fought overseas.

The money will assist volunteers in collecting artefacts of those affected by the war in the local area.

Museum curator David Baird said: "We look forward to creating an archive worthy of the young men who went off to fight in the First World War from Wotton under Edge a century ago.”

The information gathered will be digitally recorded and an online interactive archive created, allowing the public to share and discuss information about the home front.

There is a “man-sized” example of a trench defense post with a periscope and information on how to construct a trench.

New Audio Visual equipment will be added shortly to the Centre to provide large screen pictures of people and places. An electronic time–line will also be added during the project period.

Part of the project will involve contact with the local schools and funding is being provided for a performance by the Wotton Dramatic Society in a specially written play.

The money was awarded through the lottery fund’s First World War: Then and Now programme.

A new Facebook page is now online to help the communication path and advertise the project ahead at https://www.facebook.com/wottonmuseum.