Women in Norfolk are being asked to sign up for free rural writing workshops at their local library.

They will work with professional writers to write down their experiences of living in rural and coastal communities.

The 10-week creative writing courses are aimed at women of all ages in Watton, Swaffham and living on the Magdalen Estate in Gorleston.

The "Rural Writes" workshops will be hosted by Norfolk County Council at Watton, Swaffham and Gorleston Libraries.

It comes after the council's library and information service received a £9,738 grant from Arts Council England.

As well as helping to develop participants' creative writing and digital skills, "Rural Writes" will also leave a legacy, by culminating in an anthology of the women's' writing.

The anthology will be published by Norwich-based Unthank Books, and be available to borrow from all of Norfolk's libraries and to buy.

During the project, participants will get digital skills support from library staff and a blog will be set up for participants to share their work.

Free childcare and some help with transport costs will be available for those wishing to sign up.

Harry Humphrey, vice-chairman of Norfolk County Council's communities committee said the project was a good example of how libraries could bring local people together to work on a project with long-lasting value.

"I would really encourage women in these areas to join the workshops - even if they haven't picked up a pen or visited a library since they were at school."

"The book they will create together will ensure that all their stories and memories are recorded for posterity.

It will shed light on the way that women, living their day to day lives in Norfolk in the past and today, play such a crucial role in shaping our county's unique identity."

The Rural Writes workshops will take place from week commencing 16 May. For details, email [email protected].