INSTEAD of studying history, pupils at 15 local schools could help make it.

They have been invited to take part in what looks set to be the biggest innovative information technology project to take place in Britain.

Regional education chiefs have unveiled plans for "The 4th Dimension", a 3D museum with hundreds of galleries which will exhibit virtual history projects.

Bury is one of 18 local councils to take part and the chosen secondary schools have until May 31 to submit their virtual history projects.

The North West telecommunications company Your Communications is partnering the North West Learning Grid on the project which aims to highlight the value of broadband communication in the learning environment.

Mr John Jorgensen, business manager at the North West Learning Grid, said: "This is all part of our campaign to put knowledge at people's fingertips. Once all the entries are in we will have a unique and growing reference source that celebrates the good work going on in North West schools.

"Anyone will be able to visit The 4th Dimension and schools will be able to check out each other's galleries."

He added: "Each school will be able to design their own gallery in The 4th Dimension from a wide range of options. They can then submit up to six items of digital content which combine to make up their individual history project.

"Entries can include scanned artwork or images, text, video, sound or digital photographs. There will be two overall winners, announced before the end of June, each receiving prizes including a top range digital camera, a laptop and an exciting day at Alton Towers for participating pupils."

The project will be one of the most powerful demonstrations of e-progress in education yet to be seen in the UK and heralds the way for a new kind of collective learning between schools as knowledge and information is increasingly shared over the Internet.

The 15 local schools taking part are: Broad Oak; Bury CE; Bury Grammar Boys; Bury Grammar Girls; Castlebrook; Coney Green; Darul Uloom; Manchester Jewish Grammar; Philips High; Prestwich Community High; Radcliffe High; St Gabriel's; St Monica's; Tottington; Woodhey.