MORE than £50k has been granted to fund an Oldham housing association’s digital project.

First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) has received £54,685 funding from the National Lottery for its digital project called 'The Rise and Fall of Two Towers'.

FCHO will use the National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to create a "digital history"of the neighbourhood where the iconic Oldham tower blocks, Crossbank House and Summervale House, now stand.

The tower blocks are set to be demolished later this year and replaced with 88 family homes as part of FCHO’s West Vale development.

Local residents will be given the opportunity to become “community historians” and tell their stories of life in the neighbourhood which will then feature on a dedicated website.

Resma Patel, funding and partnerships officer at FCHO, said: "As well as providing a historical snapshot for future generations to come, this project is also about developing the digital skills of local people in the area and Oldham residents, whatever their previous experience. There will be something for everyone who wants to get involved.

"We want to bring people together to preserve their stories about life in this area and participants will also help shape our regeneration work around Vale Drive.”