IT is 60 years since the Second World War finally came to an end after six years of blood, sweat and tears.

The people of the Midlands played a crucial part as the workshop and bread basket of the war effort.

We need them again - we need their memories and their involvement in a major Imperial War Museum commemorative exhibition starting its national tour in Staffordshire.

The Imperial War Museum has chosen the Forest of Mercia Innovation Centre as the first venue for this national touring exhibition looking at ordinary people's experiences of war called "Their Past - Your Future."

The free exhibition has already opened, creating a living experience with the tastes, smells, sounds and flavours of the period.

This exhibition will be something special for the Midlands.

Visitors can taste war rations in the caf, see Pathe-style newsreel from the time, see what it was like in the streets of towns across the Midlands as the bombs fell and ride a special Chasewater evacuation train at the Chasewater Railway.

There will be special exhibitions on forestry and the Women's Timber Corps, otherwise known as the "Lumber Jills".

What we want are your readers' memories to add to the exhibition and volunteers for a special one off-event which we are planning for anyone who played their part during those hard-fought years.

Anyone who has stories to tell about their war years, souvenirs they can lend us, or anyone who would like to come along for the special Memory Lane event should ring 01543 370737, or e-mail graham.hunt@staffordshire.gov.uk or write to Graham Hunt, The Forest of Mercia Innovation Centre, Chasewater, Brownhills WS8 7NL.

We also want schools and families to come along.

It's a wonderful historical experience that is still within living memory, a massive turning point in our history, a communal experience forged in the heart of the Midlands. It's a perfect educational trip.

Please help us make this national exhibition on our doorstep a real success.

Jeremy Herbert

Communications Officer

Staffordshire County Council