PEOPLE are being given a helping hand by Worcestershire County Council to help unlock the past during a series of special sessions this summer.

The county council's records office is inviting people to sign up to its beginners course about how to read old handwriting.

The course, which will be held between 7pm and 9pm every Wednesday, is set to kick off on Wednesday, May 23, and run until Wednesday, June 20.

Hosted at the County Hall branch of the record office, the two-hour sessions are designed to help local and family historians who are finding old handwriting a challenge in their research.

Each session will involve a teaching and practical element in a bid to familiarise students with different styles of old handwriting, abbreviations and numbers.

Archivist Heidi McIntosh said: "People often ask us to help them understand old handwriting, which can really daunting for those who aren't familiar with it, but actually quite easy for those who are."

The course costs £40 per person. Places can be booked by calling the records office on 01905 766351.People interested in finding out more should call Louisa Mann on 01905 765926 or e-mail lmann@worcestershire.gov.uk