PEOPLE with interesting family stories to tell about World War One are wanted to help set up an oral archive for Craven.

The Craven and the First World War project is looking for tales not just about life at the front between 1914 and 1918, but about how people survived at home.

Project officer, Rob Freeman, said: "The anecdotal evidence and knowledge held within the community about life during the First World War is slowly disappearing.

"It's important to use the opportunity that the centenary commemorations provide to capture the memories that have been passed down from those who lived during that time.

"The oral histories recorded will be of significant value to the community as it will give them a greater wealth of resources that will build a great understanding and appreciation for the local heritage."

Helping compile the history is Megan Hickes who said: "We're very excited to discover some hopefully unique and insightful stories from the First World War.

"We are particularly interested in what life was like for those men and women left behind in Craven, and how the area changed and adapted throughout the war’

She is already combing through the present oral history held by Craven and is working on transcribing the story of an Earby conscientious objector who was imprisoned in Wormwood Scrubs and Lincoln Gaol between1918-1919.

"He was interviewed by the Imperial War Museum in 1993 and gave his story of receiving call-up papers and his reasons for his decision not to enlist and describes his pacifist and political beliefs.

"He goes on to explain how he objected on both a religious and political basis, after also following the Labour movement as well as The Quakers."

War Oral History project, starting this autumn, is looking for volunteers to help collect the stories which will eventually become available to the general public.

Anyone interested in taking part or has a story to tell should Megan Hickes at Skipton Town Hall on 01756 706225.mhickes@cravendc.gov.uk