PARISHIONERS in Brompton Ralph have been awarded £4,000 to restore the village hall mural and to research and write about the history of the parish.

The village is the latest to benefit from a Local Heritage Initiative (LHI) grant which is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Nationwide Building Society.

Volunteers will now be working on the mural, mapping the churchyard, tithe maps and census returns. One aim is to produce a complete map of field names and investigate the history of a number of homes.

Much of the information will be used to create an illustrated book of the area.

"The people in this village have a strong affection for it," said Brompton Ralph LHI committee member Katherine East.

"This grant will give us the opportunity to put together the written records with people's own memories, personal records and photographs to preserve them and provide a personal record.

"If anyone has memories or photographs relating to Brompton Ralph we would be very pleased to hear from them."

LHI advisor for the South West Chris Burke said: "We are delighted to be able to make this money available. The project is very much in keeping with the Local Heritage Initiative's underlying principle that the long-term future for our local heritage lies in the hands of those who value it at local level.

"We hope this community's success will encourage others. We have got £1 million earmarked for heritage work in the South West and, while some amazing work is underway, there is plenty of scope for other communities to suggest projects celebrating the distinctive character of the places where they live."

In order to qualify for grants, schemes need to be started, supported and carried out by local people. The definition 'heritage' can include traditions, customs, natural features and archaeology.

For more information contact the LHI on 0870 9000401 or visit its website at http://www.lhi.org.uk">www.lhi.org.uk