A project has been launched to help bring the past alive - and local people are being urged to play a full part.

Memories and mementoes are needed to help provide a trail of outdoor boards showing the local history of Thirsk and Sowerby.

Local charity Rural Arts is looking for memorabilia from across the area's history, right up to recent years.

The project is the idea of local councillor Jan Marshall who said: "This is the most exciting venture for Thirsk and Sowerby, giving us the opportunity to record our history both for future generations and visitors.

"I hope as many people as possible will come along and get involved, sharing their memories and memorabilia."

The boards will focus on different areas, from Sowerby Flatts, which was once mediaeval ploughland, to the Holmes, which used to be the drying ground for Norby housewives.

The project aims to encourage the interest of local people in the history of Thirsk and Sowerby.

A series of creative workshops will be set up to produce artwork using the memories provided by local people as well as information researched through other sources such as local archives.

People are urged to bring their memories, photographs and memorabilia to Thirsk town hall to be recorded, photographed and copied on Saturday, February 12, between 10am and 4pm.

There will also be a range of displays of local items and photographs during the day.

* The boards will be installed before the end of the year at Castlegarth, the Holmes, the Sluicegate, Mill Gardens, Moated Site, Canal Wharfe, Pack Horse Bridge, Pudding Pie Hill, St James Green/Pinfold, Thirsk and Sowerby Flatts, and the Market Place.