A NEW website commemorating Craven men who were killed during the Great War has been awarded funding of almost £25,000.

Thanks to backing from the Local Heritage Initiative Scheme, the men who gave their lives in the First World War will be immortalised with the help of a book published by the Craven Herald in 1919 entitled "Craven's Part in the Great War".

The book lists all the men from Craven who died during the conflict between 1914 and 1918.

The website is being created by Hebden couple Chris and Charlotte Foster who have formed the Craven Community Projects Group.

Members of the group learned this week that they had been awarded £24,688 to gather and update all existing data and it will take volunteers nearly a year to develop and complete the project.

The Lottery Heritage scheme enables people to explore, investigate and record their local heritage.

The website, which is due to go live in November, will have a page with a photograph of each serviceman along with any new details which have emerged.

It will be free to use and simple to navigate and will be designed by award-winning local company QDK.

"The project will raise awareness about the local men who fought and died in the conflict and it will commemorate their lives," said Mr Foster, chairman of the group.

The group is working in partnership with a wide range of individuals and organisations as well as representatives from local schools and community groups.

Mrs Foster, group secretary, said: "The group feels honoured to be working on such a worthwhile project that will pay tribute to the servicemen who died."

Anyone with information about the men from Craven who fought and died in the Great War is asked to get in touch with the group.

Also anyone who would like to attend a project awareness session should contact Mr and Mrs Foster by email at thegreatwar@hebden55.freeserve.co.uk or by phone on 01756 753609.