ORDINARY people will become stars of the silver screen after a project won Lottery funding.

The public will be given help to turn their life stories into mini-films, which will then be shown at the Gala Cinema, in Durham City.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded a grant of £25,000 to the Gala, which will pay for a series of workshops in local communities.

The project, which is called Durham Digital Stories, brings modern technology to the art of storytelling.

It shows members of the community how to create short films on computers about things that are important to them in their lives.

Participants can provide their own images to go with the stories, including old photographs, video clips or any other material which can be digitally scanned.

The results will be screened at the Gala in April and will also be published on the BBC's website.

Keith Bartlett, Heritage Lottery Fund Manager in the region, said: "This grant is a great example of local communities coming together to celebrate their heritage and make sure it can be passed on down the years.

"Digital storytelling serves to enrich the presence of our intangible heritage, by safeguarding and sustaining it.

"It often comes as a surprise when people realise that we fund such projects.

"People's traditions, culture and memories are just as important to us as parks, wildlife and buildings."

Gala director Simon Stallworthy said: "Digital storytelling in 2002 allows people to tell powerful stories about things which have happened in their lives.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for people in this region to tap into their own creativity, which this art form allows."

Further details on how to get involved in the workshops will be released next month.

Anyone wanting to register an interest in the project, can telephone film development officer Victoria Manifold on 0191-332 4058.