A PROJECT tracing the unknown origins of Northallerton is under way.

Northallerton and District Local History Society has been awarded £25,000 of lottery money to fund a two-year study into the history of the town.

Local volunteers are now needed to learn landscape archaeology techniques and documentary research skills while carrying out fieldwork on the edge of the town.

Society project manager Mike Sanders prepared the application and will administer the project. He said: "This is an exciting step forward both for the society and for the town. Recent books on Northallerton have only been able to speculate on the town's foundation.

"This grant will train local enthusiasts on how to look for physical clues in the undeveloped land outside the built-up area without excavation.

"We have an archaeology tutor lined up and will rent workspace in the county record office in Malpas Road. All we need now is to gather a team of volunteers from all walks of life who share our interest."

Mr Sanders is appealing for landowners to allow the volunteers access to their land on the guarantee that no damage will be caused.

Landowner George Crow has already pledged his support to the study, titled the Northallerton Landscape History Project.

The grant was awarded by the Local Heritage Initiative, which is funded by the National Lottery but administered by the Countryside Agency with help from the Nationwide Building Society.

The scheme was set up to help local groups investigate, explain and care for their local landscape, landmarks and traditions.

A public meeting will be held on Friday, April 29, at 7pm at the Sacred Heart Church Hall in Thirsk Road, opposite the eastern end of Racecourse Lane. Mr Sanders can be contacted on (01609) 777480.