AN award-winning film-maker is to co-ordinate a new community video project for the Valley.

Community Action in Rossendale (Car), based in Haslingden, has recruited Paul Vernon Lydiate to run its new initiative.

Paul, who has worked on documentaries for the UK History TV channel, will be teaching young people in the Valley about camera and editing techniques.

The aim will be to give youngsters the skills needed to film professional interviews with older residents about what life was like in the Lancashire textile mills and during the wars of the past century.

He said: "Not only will the precious memories be archived for use by future generations of historical film-makers, the best bits will be used to produce two high-quality documentaries.

"These programmes will certainly be seen in Rossendale and on the web and we are hoping to get them broadcast on television too."

John McManus, a former head of BBC regional television, who secured the project's financing from the Heritage Lottery Young Roots Programme and the Local Network Fund, is equally excited about its potential.

He added: "I'm delighted that we can put Paul's years of expertise to use here.

"It's a great opportunity for the young people of Rossendale to learn the skills of the future while preserving the memories of the past.

"We're planning some video training for parent volunteers too, and for interested adults who might want to use th ese skills in other community activities."

Car's Heritage Video Project is already seeking recruits - both in front of the camera and behind it.

The group is looking for people aged between 14 to 25 years who want to learn how to make factual films and TV programmes in the first instance - an interest in history would help.

Once crews are trained they will be on the look-out for people for them to interview - not only people who went through the wars and worked in the mills themselves, but also those whose parents and older family members had interesting tales to tell, tales which they would like to see preserved for posterity.

Last year's young Car Video Unit trainees made seven videos for community groups and have seven more in production.

Almost all of them have subsequently won places at colleges or universities.

To take part in the Rossendale Heritage Video Project, either as a young film-maker or an interviewee, contact Community Action

in Rossendale on 01706 229330 or e-mail paul@historynow.co.uk.