ALMOST £20,000 has been granted to a community theatre to create a year long, history based project to look back on the heritage of the area.

The Civic Arts Centre and Theatre in Oswaldtwistle has announced they have received £18,200 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to create the project focusing on Union Road and surrounding streets.

In October last year the centre held a history walk around Oswaldtwistle which led to a demand from the community to run more walks and history based activities.

Now, thanks to the funding, the ‘Discovering Old Oswaldtwistle’ project is being launched in the area.

It will involve more walks and talks about the history of the street plus a promenade performance and exhibition.

It will also give the centre the opportunity to build a resource for storing all the old photos so that they are accessible for 'future generations'.

Gayle Knight, creative director of the Civic Arts Centre, said: "We are really pleased that the Heritage Lottery recognised the potential of this project and thank them for their support.

"We will be holding our second walk on the 3rd March, starting at the Black Dog at 1pm."

The initial walk in October last year started at the Black Dog and went down to the station.

To accompany the walk, the team had collected old photos mostly from the early 1900s and then the photos were matched up with current locations.

The following week a local school asked if they could send two classes on the same walk.

This prompted discussions about how this could be extended into a bigger project, which has now been made possible thanks to the funding from the National Lottery Players.

Cllr Stewart Eaves, who represents Oswaldtwistle on Hyndburn Council, said the project is a great idea for people in the town.

He said: "I think it is smashing for the area really.

"People live in the area don't always know the history behind the area.

"I think it is fantastic for people and I welcome the investment."

The next History Walk will start at the Black Dog at 1pm on Saturday, March 3.

It will last approximately three hours finishing with soup and a roll at the Civic Arts Centre. Tickets are £6 or £3 per child.

For more information or to book a place ring Gayle on 01254 398319 or email info@civicartscentre.co.uk.