A UNIQUE youth project, which aims to research and celebrate Muslim and Sikh cultural heritage in Warrington, was launched last week.

The Back Home initiative, which opened at Whitecross Community Centre on Saturday, was started in a bid to shed light on the history of young people from ethnic minorities.

Warrington Borough Council has given the scheme a grant of £25,000, over 12 months, which will fund research, training sessions, a website, and art, music and dance workshops.

Claire Kiernan, youth worker, said: "The turnout was very positive, with a lot of support from the Asian community. It was a pleasant sight to see all generations coming together to make this unique and historic event a success."

The young people involved in the project, from the Sikh Youth Group and Warrington Islamic Association, will conduct interviews with older members of the community to find out about their initial experiences of Britain.

The youth members will be actively involved in the design and delivery of the plan and will identify the contrasting expectations from contemporary British society and their own families.

It is also hoped that plenty of photographs and paintings can be gathered, from parents and grandparents, which can be used for a final exhibition at Pyramid at the end of the year.

Other ideas for the final presentation include a patchwork collage of memories, a mural, a fashion show and a cooking demonstration.

Meanwhile the Warrington Library and Museum Service will offer four research skills training sessions to teach the youngsters the basics before they embark on their investigations.