A NEW project will get the go-ahead after the East Wickham and Welling War Memorial Trust was awarded £32,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund today.

As part of the Welling Will Remember Them project in Bexley, community volunteers will be trained to tell the stories of Welling men who fought in the First World War.

Research will begin this year so volunteers can put together an exhibition and submit stories for a new website and booklet.

The findings will be used as part of learning events during the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War in 2014.

Project manager Linda Clayton said: "We are thrilled to have the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund in being able to discover the people behind the names of the men who fought and survived as well as those who were never to return."

Head of Heritage Lottery Fund London Sue Bowers said: "This project will enable volunteers to link the First World War commemoration with local people and this raise awareness of a global event in a more personal and meaningful way."

Trust chairman Nigel Betts added the grant will give the community the opportunity to add missing names to the War Memorial in St Michael’s Church for November 2014.

To join the Trust as a Research Volunteer, email Linda Clayton at heritage@ewt.org.uk.