HISTORY and heritage of a former mining community is to be celebrated with the launch of a new project.

Stanley Town Council has unveiled its Blue Plaque Scheme, to recognise important people who have lived in the town, significant buildings and major events.

Some of the Stanley’s famous sons include the Pitman Poet Tommy Armstrong, Victoria Cross winner Michael Heaviside and heroes of the West Stanley Pit Disaster of 1909, including football legend Kevin Keegan’s grandfather, Frank.

But to earn a Blue Plaque, nominees must have been dead for over 20 years.

Town council vice-chairman Councillor Bill Nixon said: “We hope it will put a bit of pride back into the town. It has got a rich history and a lot of the younger generation do not know it so we hope this scheme will show them what they got to be proud of.”

The original Blue Plaque scheme in London was first proposed in 1863 in the House of Commons by William Ewart MP.

Council clerk Alan Shaw said the scheme could be used to form a heritage trail in and around Stanley and could involve schools in the town.

He said: “People like local history and it adds something to a local community when they understand where they are from and there is a link between a place and people who are well known or have achieved something.”

To find out more, make a nomination or speak to a member of the council at Stanley Civic Hall, call 01207-299-109 or log on to stanley-tc.gov.uk/blue-plaque-scheme