A project which aims to get the people of Helston involved in commemorating the town's World War One heritage has received £10,000 of lottery funding.

The Helston WWI Heritage Project has been given the cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for its project, Bells, Bravura and Blimps, which it is hoped will encourage community groups of all ages and abilities to research, preserve and record the part the area played during the conflict.

The project will mark the centenary of the First World War by bringing together memories and artefacts from the town and the surrounding area, with volunteers collecting photographs, newspaper clippings, documents, letters and photos of keepsakes, as well as family tales passed down, to help them build a clear picture of what life was really like.

Mike Thomas, chair of the Helston WWI Heritage Project, said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and we have an opportunity, through this grant, to provide an enduring memory and legacy for all those from this part of Cornwall who gave their lives in the First World War."

Inspired by the research done in Helston, during 2014, on the men on Helston’s War Memorial, and the discovery that four of them were lost on the same ship when the HMT Royal Edward was torpedoed on August 13, 1915, the two year project will focus on the topics of Women in the War and The War at Sea and in the Air, whilst also gathering, and preserving, information on any other aspect of First World War life in the area in order that future projects can be planned.

There will be opportunities for volunteers to contribute and learn new skills with workshops for young people, and the group has said it is particularly keen to involve young people from the area in the project.

The results of the research will be made available to the Cornwall Record Office, Helston Museum and the Imperial War Museum Online Archive to make it accessible to all.

Group secretary Martine Knight said: “Now we’ve got this fantastic award we start the work of delivering the project. We are actively seeking volunteers to join us on this journey and I would ask anyone interested to contact me on jointww1project@gmail.com or 01326 564710.”