PEOPLE in Earby are being asked to help compile a "heritage map" of the town and its surrounding area.

The project is part of Pendle Council's "Built Heritage Strategy" - a five year plan to document buildings and any other structures across the borough which have heritage value.

The aim of the strategy is to "gain an overview of what buildings, places and areas of the parish or town are valued or cherished by local people".

Each parish has been asked to compile its own "parish map" and collectively they will eventually form what will be known as the Built Heritage Strategy.

In Earby, the project is being overseen by members of the thriving Earby and District Local History Society, but they are keen that the wider community should have its say. The parish map is not just a plan, but will include photographs and brief descriptions and explanations of the entries.

Including a building on the map isn't like giving it "listed" status and doesn't place restrictions on it. It simply denotes its historical or local value.

And while the Old Grammar School and The White Lion are obvious examples, it needn't just be buildings.

For example, the whole area around Keb Bridge, including the old red phone box, has been put forward, and so has the old-fashioned "finger post" direction sign at the four-way junction of Skipton Road, Colne Road, Victoria Road and New Road.

Leaflets about the Heritage Map Project have already been distributed with copies of New Road News, delivered to almost every home in Earby and the surrounding area.

However, the response to the project so far has been disappointing.

Bob Abel, chairman of the local history society, told members of the parish council that there had only been three replies. More suggestions were put forward at the history society's open day, but the society still wanted to hear from more people.

Anyone who knows of individual or groups of buildings, of domestic, industrial or agricultural significance, or things like monuments, boundary markers and milestones, signposts or any other fixed artefact worthy of inclusion in the heritage map, is asked to contact the local history society.

You can write to Bob Abel at 22 Salterforth Road, Earby, BB18 6ND.