RESIDENTS can take a look back at Dudley borough’s history later this month when Dudley archives hosts its annual local history day.

The council-run service, based on Mount Pleasant Street, Coseley, will host the free event on Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

The day will involve a series of local history talks from guest speakers as well as children’s activities, ancestry research advice and family and local history society exhibitions. There will also be an opportunity for visitors to learn more about how the archive service works through a number of behind the scenes tours.

Visitors can also contribute to the borough’s archives collection by bringing along their own interesting old photographs which will be copied and added to the archives collection.

The archives service keeps records for Dudley borough dating from the 12th century to the present day. It is dedicated to protecting the borough’s heritage by collecting and preserving documents, photographs, film and audio to build a history of the borough for generations to come.

Councillor Kurshid Ahmed, cabinet member for housing, libraries and adult learning, said: “Local history day is a great way to find out about the wealth of historic information that the archives service holds. Expert staff will be on hand to help visitors with their family and local research and local history experts will be offering specialist information and advice.”