RESIDENTS are being encouraged to unlock the secrets of the borough's past by accessing historical records.

Lewisham Library, in Lewisham High Street, has linked up with the City of London's Metropolitan Archives (LMA) as part of a three-month project.

The Flesh and Blood initiative is being run by the LMA in a bid to raise awareness about historical pictures, parish files and documents stored in libraries.

During the past three months LMA experts have held eight workshops across London's libraries.

Lewisham Library held an afternoon workshop where LMA interpretation support officer Anne-Marie Purcell introduced parents and children to a selection of the library's records.

The library's local history and archives centre has hundreds of thousands of records, documents and photos dating back as far as the 14th Century.