A PROJECT tracing the unknown origins of a North Yorkshire town 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 wanted to learn landscape archaeology techniques and documentary research skills to carry out fieldwork on the edge of the town.

"This is an exciting step forward both for the society and for the town," said the society's project manager, Mike Sanders, who prepared the application and will administer the project.

"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 also appealing for landowners to allow the volunteers access to their land, on the guarantee that no damage will be caused.

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

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

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

A condition of the grant is that anyone living in the community has the opportunity to participate in some way.

A public meeting will be held for people to find out more about the project on Friday, April 29, from 7pm at the Sacred Heart Church Hall, in Thirsk Road, Northallerton, opposite the eastern end of Racecourse Lane.

Limited parking is available at the venue.

If you are interested, but cannot attend the meeting, call Mr Sanders on (01609) 777480