A HISTORY project is underway in Swindon involving the town’s primary school children.

As part of the 2014 World War One centenary next year, pupils are seeking stories about the war and how it affected Swindon.

These stories will be made into a website and a new professional theatre production will be commissioned using them.

Project co-ordinator Benedict Eccles, artistic producer at Sixth Sense theatre for Young People, said: “We want the town to remember what happened here when the war broke out and asking our children to gather any remaining stories from their relatives and communities is a great way of keeping that history alive.

“The majority of Swindon primary schools are now working on the story gathering. The children will then be able to watch the play next year when it tours to all the primary schools”.

Leading children’s playwright Mike Akers and theatre designer Laura McEwen have agreed to work on the project to create the new play.

“Head teachers have been very supportive of the idea and we are all excited about involving the children in this way. Swindon also has some great archive material and local history groups to help inform the project” said Benedict.

Sixth Sense Theatre for Young People is an official partner of the Imperial War Museum’s World War One centenary.