WENSLEYDALE Camera Club has been awarded £4,000 by the Arts Council to preserve part of the Dales photographic heritage.

In this digital age when many black and white negatives and colour slides are being consigned to the waste bin and so lost for ever, this grant is aimed at obtaining and preserving those taken since 1950.

"We have no idea what is out there waiting to be discovered," said Len Shepherd, of Leyburn.

"These days we can do wonders with modern scanners when copying old material. We can do repair jobs if necessary."

The club is keen to locate unpublished photographs and slides. Preparation work will involve scanning original photographs, and archival printing and mounting so that a permanent record, supported by an exhibition catalogue, will be available for future generations.

There will then be a photographic exhibition of Dales life in Leyburn Methodist Church Hall in April. It will include a selection of work by retired but still active Press photographer, Frank Knowles, of Leyburn, and the late Frank Bewick.

Sixth-form students at the Wensleydale School are helping to bring the exhibition into the 21st century by providing photographs on the theme of issues affecting young people living in a rural community.

Winners of photographic competitions at Muker, Reeth and Wensleydale shows will also provide up-to-date material.

Anyone who has photographs and slides that could be included in the project can contact Len Shepherd on 01969-622043, Pat Ryder on 01969-622333 or Digby Angus on 01969-623139.