YOUNG people are exploring their town's past in a heritage project.

Chester-le-Street Youth Centre has been awarded £23,000 through the Young Roots scheme, which is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The cash will go on a 16-month education project involving 60 teenagers.

The group, aged 13 to 19, will study the history of the town, from its days as a Roman settlement and ecclesiastical centre through to the mining industry's heyday.

The cash will fund two project workers.

They will be aided by experts in Christian history from Anker House museum at St Mary and St Cuthbert's Church, in the town, and members of Chester-le-Street Heritage Group.

The youngsters will use their new-found knowledge to put on three community events next year, celebrating the ancient history of the town, its mining past and also the history of the youth centre.

Next year, they will also work with a design company to create a board game based on Chester-le-Street's history and culture, which will be used to educate younger children in the area.

Beth Storey, senior area education in the community worker for Durham County Council, is leading the project.

She is appealing for Chester-le-Street residents to send in interesting stories about family or work life, photographs and other historic material.

Ms Storey said: "We want as many personal, quirky stories as possible, to make it exciting and generate as much enthusiasm as possible in the young people."

Anyone who can help should contact 0191-388 4770.