THE launch of a new project to study and document the history of some of Corsham's oldest buildings has been hailed as a success.

Dozens of residents and business owners attended the the launch of the Corsham High Street Project last Thursday, where plans to record the town's High Street buildings for a survey were revealed.

John Maloney, of the Corsham Civic Society, said: "Nearly 60 people turned up for the launch and some 30 plus people sent their apologies and good luck for the project.

"Many found it difficult to believe that the buildings in such a famous High Street had never been researched and studied as a group and that relatively little was known about the history and development of the High Street.

"Currently 21 volunteers have signed up to work on the project and they are most enthusiastic about being trained and helping compile records."

The Civic Society has joined forces with Wiltshire Buildings Record for the project to help train volunteers.

Speaking at the meeting Peter Tapscott said: "The main aim of the project is to record as many buildings as possible in the High Street - their architecture, fabric and building techniques - through photography, documentary research, sketches and surveyed drawings and archaeological investigation.

"The objectives are to produce records of individual buildings, an archive which will be curated at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre and, eventually, to produce a publication which will be of interest and of use to local people, schools, historical groups of all types."

Every owner taking part in the survey will receive a free copy of the published book.