JAYWICK’S Martello Tower has been handed £10,000 to help it mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

The Friends of Jaywick Martello Tower has been given the money by the Heritage Lottery Fund for its From the Trenches to Tendring project.

The cash is part of the fund’s First World War: Then and Now programme, which will focus on communications from the trenches.

The scheme will help residents in Tendring come together to preserve the memories and heritage of the people who lived through the First World War.

Volunteers will collect photographs, newspaper clippings, documents, letters and make photos of keepsakes, as well as family tales passed down to help them build a clear picture of what life was really like.

Coralina Cattrell, from the friends group, said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, along with partnership funding from Tendring Council and Essex County Council.

“We all look forward to replicating the sense of community that was prevalent during the war days.”

With help from professionals, the scheme will see the information gathered digitally recorded and an online interactive archive will also be created.