HARTFORD residents are being urged to help list important heritage features in their village.

Civic Voice, backed by English Heritage, is championing a national campaign to produce local heritage lists across the UK.

Pat Hatfield, from Hartford Civic Society, said: “These lists are not restricted to buildings but can include any features which are valued by residents and are of special importance to Hartford.

“They could include stories, people or even small details such as a date or an inscription.”

She added: “The society is a member of Civic Voice and is keen to be part of this latest initiative.

“It's a huge challenge.

“We'll need to involve the whole community but, as a start, we're inviting all the 10 to 16 year olds to take part in a competition, sponsored by a generous donation from The Co-operative Society's Community Fund, to help in identifying these special places, stories and people.”

The competition is for youngsters to produce a plaque on an A4 sized sheet of paper and, in no more than 40 words, describe their chosen item of village history.

The winning suggestion in each age group will receive £20 and one outstanding suggestion will be chosen and that plaque made and fixed in place.

Entrants must live within the Hartford parish boundary and provide their name, age and contact details on the back of their entry.

It must be handed in at Hartford Post Office or Elson News between September 1 and 6.

The winners will be announced in October.

Hartford Civic Society has already provided three plaques to mark areas of national heritage importance or sites of interest in the village, including The Red Lion, The Coachman and the old schoolhouse.

Three are ready to be fixed in place by the stone mason, including the Albemarle bomber crash site, Chester Road and Watling Street North and Zebou.

Eight more are also on the way, including Sandiway House, Mersey Vale, the toll cottage, Hartford Hall Hotel, Whitehall, the fire bell, Thorn(e) Cottage and The Beeches / Hartford Beach.