An ambitious project has been launched to compile an archive of images of all the buildings in Wymondham's historic town centre.

A 'photographic audit' of hundreds of the market town's most recognisable structures is underway in a bid to create an accurate snapshot for future generations of what Wymondham looked like in the early stages of the 21st century.

Wymondham Town Archive already holds more than 1,500 images of people and places, spanning from the birth of photography at the end of the 19th century to the present day, but no-one has undertaken a complete study of the town's major streets.

Participating photographer John Wilson expects to complete the project by the end of September with some of his images going on display during a series of Heritage Open Days next month.

He has also been offering business owners the opportunity to have themselves and their staff photographed outside their premises and shops.

Wymondham is set to grow by hundreds of new homes, with accompanying shops and facilities, over the next decade, and archivists believe many of its features may considerably alter in the near future.

Richard Fowle, chairman of the Wymondham Town Archive, said: 'We want to set up a database of what the town looks like today and perhaps in a few years time it will be repeated for the area's that will have changed.

'There are lots of plans for new additions and alterations in the town and people may forget what it's like.

'We have lots of old photos in the archives, but I don't think anyone has done something like this before. Remember the photos taken today will one day be old too.'

The volunteer-run Wymondham Town Archive is based at the town council offices in Middleton Street. It is open on Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm.

However the public will be able to get an extended peak at the archive's collection of documents and photographs, including some taken as part of its latest project, during an exhibition to mark next month's Heritage Open Days.

The archive will be open on September 8 and 9, from 10am to 4pm daily.