ORGANISERS of events to commemorate the First World War in Earby later this year said they had been ‘overwhelmed’ by the initial response.

A coffee morning was held at the weekend by Earby and District Local History Society to launch their plans for the anniversary later this year.

The highlights will be a book and exhibition on the effects of World War One on Earby and its people.

Bob Abel, society member, said: “We had a very good turnout at the coffee morning, in fact we were quite overwhelmed by it.

“It was a chance to launch the commemorations and gauge interest, and there does seem to be a lot of interest.

“It gave people a flavour of what we want to do or the commemorations later in the year.

“The Great War of 1914 to 1919 is now virtually out of living memory.

“However memory can be and is handed down through the generations of a family.

“Sometimes photographs, postcards, letters or even diaries of the period have survived.

“Most people will have a family member who was swept up in the events 100 years ago. Many will have an ancestor who didn’t return.”

The group is appealing for anybody with photographs, memorabilia, letters or diaries relating to the First World War, and especially how Earby coped with the war, to get in touch with them.

It is also planning to create a permanent World War One archive for future generations to use.