TEENAGERS will be given the chance to uncover Fenland’s history after Atelier East received a �21,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Twenty 13-19 years olds from March and Wisbech will begin investigating how life has changed from 1900 to the present day in the March East and Waterlees (Wisbech) wards of the towns.

The project, run by the Fenland-based art and education organisation, will see the teenagers scouring parish records, historic documents, collecting photographs and interviewing elderly residents for the task.

Karen Harvey, Atelier East’s artistic director, said: “We couldn’t believe the news when we heard.

“The young people who developed the idea are really pleased, and I am very proud of their hard work and dedication to working with, and improving, their local community.

“We can’t wait to get started on the project and recruit more young people to get involved.”

The group, calling themselves the Young Curators Forum, will use the information to create two exhibitions.

One will be displayed at the Wisbech and Fenland Museum while the other, a travelling exhibition, will visit community centre around the district.

Robyn Llewellyn, head of Heritage Lottery Fund in the east of England, said: “This exciting project is a great example of how lottery players’ money can engage young people in their heritage whilst helping them gain new skills in the process.

“We are always looking for new projects to fund, especially in the Fens, so if any groups are interested in applying, they should contact us to find out more.”