Aspiring writers can attend free or subsidised workshops in writing from history, using archives at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre in Chippenham.

The Arts Council funded workshop, with expert mentoring by Creative Ecology Wiltshire, takes place on eight Saturdays, 10am to 1pm, from November 22 to March 14, and costs £20.

Project manager Anna Harriott said: “The history centre’s rich archives are fascinating and using history as a resource can lead to a wonderful writing experience.

“The project has put together everything you need to get writing; for complete beginners to the more advanced, all are welcome to get involved and take advantage of the expert advice and mentoring on hand.”

Each month the centre is joined by a different professional writer to offer free advice to members of the public, who can drop in with samples of their writing.

Andi Michael will join them on Tuesday November 4, followed by Jenni Mills on December 5 and comic strip artist and writer Liz Greenfield on January 22, all from 11am to 3pm. There are also free workshops for people aged 11 to 17. Angela Street will assist in creating journalistic writing inspired by the First World War today and next Thursday, October 30, 10.30am to noon.

For more information contact anna@cewwiltshire.org or 07747 602574. Book on (01249) 705500) or email to localstudies@wiltshire.gov.uk