Local historians have described their vision of a "virtual museum" which will gather and preserve material from Selby's past.

Historical objects ranging from First World War medals to excavated glass bottles are being photographed and scanned electronically to create a computer-generated museum.

The project, organised by Selby Museum Research Group (SMRG), will be published on the Internet.

Visitors to Roadshow '98, at Selby Abbey last Saturday, had the chance to find out more and have their treasured heirlooms photographed for the virtual museum.

Librarian Chris Pearson, of SMRG, said the group's long-term ambition was to build a real-life museum for Selby.

"We started looking for premises when the group was formed about 18 months ago. But it was difficult to finance and raise funds because we were not a properly-formed group," she said.

"We thought if we can't find real premises we will have a virtual museum which needs less funding and reaches more people.

"Its whole purpose is to record the history of Selby and its surrounding district."

Internet users will be able to view photographs and descriptions of historical items. A launch date for the website has not yet been decided.

Members of Selby Camera Club have agreed to photograph the items. Treasurer Peter Blake said: "An interesting one we had was a medallion struck from lead which melted during the fire of Selby Abbey 1906."

Paul Barr, 36, from Selby, brought a framed collection of First World War medals, including the Military Medal and Distinguished Conduct Medal, belonging to his grandfather, George Patience, of Burn.

He said: "As time goes on we, as a younger generation, are never going to know what it was like to earn medals like these. This will show the bravery of people who fought for our freedom."

Roadshow '98 also featured an exhibition of English Civil War replica weaponry and armour by the Sealed Knot Society, and 17th century swords and helmets loaned from the Castle Museum in York.

Local historians from Stillingfleet and Womersley described their research work.

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