THEY say everyone has a story to tell, and local people are being asked to share their experiences for a nationwide project -- The Century Speaks.

The BBC Millennium Oral History Project is organised by local radio stations up and down the country which are collecting material for 16 separate programmes to go on air in autumn 1999 for every region.

And BBC Essex wants people of all ages and backgrounds from Harlow, Stansted and across West Essex to come forward to talk about life in the 20th century and share their experiences.

Up to 200 people will be interviewed over the next 10 months, all of whose testimonies will be kept for future generations to hear in the British Library's National Sound Archive in London.

Many of those who contribute will also be heard in the radio series.

BBC Essex producer Anton Jarvis said: "The series will concentrate on everyday life and how communities have changed. It is not the story of the great events of the century but of the way we used to live, the way we live today and the way we may live in the future.

"The station is looking for those with vivid recollections, those who can tell a good story and those who are engaging talkers."

The station is particularly keen to talk to younger people, as well as those with memories of how things used to be.

He said: "We are looking for the unusual and the everyday, to compare the experiences of different generations and draw conclusions about the way things have changed.

"There will be a lot of anecdotal stuff I'm sure, but what we are trying to do is really create a snap-shot of how people think and live.

"It's a really fascinating project. It's unique and very exciting. It's also the biggest project of its kind in the history of radio, and the results will be preserved forever."

Memories will be gathered under 16 headings, with centenarians and teenagers talking about the same themes so that each subject is seen through the eyes of the different generations.

The subjects being covered include growing up, health, house and home, travel, identity, leisure, crime and law, food, money, beliefs and fears, life and death, where we live and technology.

BBC Essex wants to hear from people of all ages and backgrounds who feel they have something to contribute.

l To get involved ring Elaine Tribley or Anton Jarvis on 01245 262393, or write to BBC Essex, 198 New London Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 9XB, including a contact number.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.