Long Preston Heritage Group has won £9,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to raise the profile of the part the village played during the First World War.

To mark the centenary of the start of the First World War, the project will enable local people to come together to preserve the memories and heritage of those who lived through the conflict.

Acting group chairman John Sellers said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and we look forward to making an early start on the projects ready for the commemorations at the beginning of August.”

Volunteers will collect photographs, newspaper clippings, documents, letters and photos of keepsakes, as well as family tales passed down to help them build a clear picture of what life was really like.

The muster roll of the village – kept in the village church – will be reproduced and the names of the 91 residents who enlisted will be made widely available.

The war memorial will also be renovated and there will be concerts featuring World War songs and readings.

The information gathered will be digitally recorded and will be placed on the heritage group’s website longprestonheritage.org.uk, allowing the public to discuss, contribute, share and research information about the Home Front.