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Residents from five North Devon villages have helped create an innovative digital archive about their local heritage.

The Explore North Devon project has uncovered an impressive range of photographic images, recordings and local stories for an ever-growing online archive.

Archivists from the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon have been working with residents from Winkleigh, Bratton Fleming, Mortehoe, Parracombe and Hartland.

"We've been working with established local history groups," explained Explore North Devon co-ordinator Lizzie Potter.

Policeman checks rabbit kills in Bratton Fleming

"All of them have boxes of photos and archive material they've collected from people in their villages.

"Previously they had no way of compiling or showing this amazing content.

"As part of the project, we've given them a scanner and laptop computer, and they've been trained how to upload material to the website.

"We've asked them to add modern day images as well, because the photos we take today become the archives of tomorrow."

In Mortehoe, the researchers have been piecing together information about a Lancaster bomber, which crashed in December 1945, killing the pilot and injuring the other six other crew members.

Visitors to the website can listen to eye-witness accounts of the crash.

World War II also features in the Winkleigh archives. Villagers here have taken a special interest in the local airfield and the arrival of wartime personnel from all over the world. The website offers a heritage trail around the airfield.

Later this year people from all over the world will be able to add their own photos to the website.

Delivering bread in Bratton Fleming around 1912

"The potential for this is huge," added Lizzie. "Hopefully we'll be uncovering many more images and documents that have been stored away in boxes or under people's beds.

"Sadly a lot of these things are lost when people die and relatives have house clearances. Hopefully a project like this will make people realise how important these family albums are.

"All the pictures we gather together are being sent to the National Archives at Kew, where they will be stored for future generations."

Highlights from the archive are being pulled together in a showcase exhibition which will tour the area over the coming months.

The touring display kicks off at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon on 29 March 2008, where it will be on view until 19 April.

It will then transfer to the North Devon Library and Record Office from 6-16 May 2008.

During the North Devon Festival in June it will be visiting a number of venues to coincide with festival events. See the festival website for details.

Explore North Devon was awarded a Your Heritage grant of 拢50,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of the Archives 4 All scheme. A further 拢12,000 has been contributed by Natural England through the Northern Devon Coast and Countryside Service.

The project is a partnership between Devon County Council, North Devon and Torridge District Councils, and The National Archives.

If you would like to find out more about Explore North Devon contact Lizzie Potter at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon on 01271 346747.