RAWTENSTALL’S famous Astoria Ballrooms are to be the subject of a new heritage project.

Bands such as The Who and The Kinks played the big band venue in its 1960s heyday.

A £16,700 cash injection from the Heritage Lottery Fund will be used to create a digital, oral history and a mosaic celebrating people’s memories of the iconic halls.

The project will see young people interview those who attended the venues, take part in creating a mosaic in the new open space area and collect old photographs that will be incorporated into the hoardings used to wrap the landscape area.

The recently demolished Astoria Dance Hall was part of the Valley Centre Shopping Arcade, while the original Astoria Ballroom was housed on St Mary's Way from 1932 to 1966.

Rossendale Borough Council will work alongside Rossendale Revival on the scheme - entitled Historia! - and hope to create temporary jobs through a tendering process.

A contract has been awarded to Focus Learning and Interpretation, who will train local people in sound recording and editing for the oral history phase.

Coun Andrew MacNae, the council’s portfolio holder for regeneration said: “We are very proud of our rich heritage in Rossendale and the Astoria was an important part of this.

“Many people have such fond memories of dancing there, performing there and even meeting loved ones there.”

Sara Hilton, head of Heritage Lottery Fund in the North West added: “These stories and memories of the Astoria Dance Halls are inextricably woven into Rossendale’s rich history.

“This project will not only capture those vital memories but in doing so will give different sections of the community the opportunity to meet, forge new friendships and learn new skills.”