THE history of a key community building will be brought to life this year after a grant was given to fund a number of heritage projects.

Dalton's former drill hall, now Dalton Community Association, has been given £8,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The money will be used this year to produce a display, website, book and drama - all of which will focus on the history of the 91-year-old building in Nelson Street.

Volunteers will work with history and drama pupils at Dowdales School as part of the projects to lift the lid on the historic community hub's past.

Barry Doughty, the chairman of Dalton Community Association, said it was a chance to show off the building's storied past to people in the town.

He said: "I am extremely pleased that we have received this money from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

"The community centre has been at the heart of the community in Dalton for nearly 100 years.

"We want to be able to share the history of the building with the younger generation in the town, who may not know what it has been used since it was opened in 1928.

"The project will capture the history of the centre for posterity."

The building has been home to number of uses down the years.

It was used by soldiers in the Second World War to prepare for the D-Day landings at Normandy.

It was also the former assembly hall of the now defunct Nelson Street Girls' School.

Mr Doughty appealed for people and their families who had made use of the drill hall to share their stories and memories of the building.

The exhibition display created as part of the project will toured round the town and eventually be kept on show there permanently.

The book focusing on the history of the building will be created this year, edited by Ron Creer, organiser of Furness Literature Festival.

The building is now home to various community groups and also includes Dalton's library.

Volunteers who helped to renovate the building from a state of disrepair 10 years ago were lauded last year when they received the Queen's Award, the highest accolade awarded for voluntary service, presented by Lord Lieutenant Clare Hensman.

To share your stories for the project you can visit the centre in Nelson Street or contact Dalton Community though its website or Facebook page.