CHILDREN from three primary schools have an eye on posterity with their latest project.

They are preparing time capsules which will be buried in the grounds of three new Accrington buildings.

The hope is that they will be discovered in 100, 500 or maybe 1,000 years and will give a fascinating snapshot of just what life was like in 2006.

The project involves children from Woodnook, Benjamin Hargreaves and Hyndburn Park schools, who are coming up with a whole host of items and artefacts to go in the capsules, which will be buried at the sites of the luxury Scaitcliffe apartments and the two new health centres on Paradise Street and Blackburn Road.

Construction on all three sites is well underway, with the shells of the new buildings already visible around the surrounding areas.

The children have been beavering away during the autumn term and have come up with all sorts of ideas for things to go into the capsules.

Children from Benjamin Hargreaves are working with a health theme as their time capsule will be buried at the Paradise Street health centre site.

Headteacher Mrs Pauline Mallaby said: "We were thrilled to be asked to take part. The children are very excited and motivated by working on the project and can't wait to see the time capsule buried."

She added: "Each child has done a self-portrait which will go in, and they will also be putting in their work on healthy eating, as well as ideas on how they imagine the schools of the future will look. Healthy eating in schools is obviously a huge issue at the moment so we thought it would be a good idea if the time capsule reflected this."

Children from Hyndburn Park have also chosen health as their topic as they will bury their time capsule at the site of the other new health centre on Blackburn Road.

Headteacher John Boden said: "The school is very pleased to be involved in this scheme and our Year 4 classes have already been to look at the site as part of their geography work. The children are enjoying the project and are delighted to think that their work will be there for posterity."

Children from Woodnook Primary School have taken a look at what's happening here and now for their artefacts, which will be buried in the Scaitcliffe site of new luxury apartments.

Deputy headteacher Miss Lorraine Moody said: "The children are really busy getting material together to put in the capsule. We are proud to be involved in this project and it has really captured the children's imaginations to think that future generations will be uncovering their work."

The end result will be three New Year burying ceremonies at the three sites with the schools, the Primary Care Trust, Globe Enterprises, the developers Barnfield Construction and Eric Wright Construction and the council in attendance.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "This is a great way to mark the way Hyndburn is dramatically changing for the better and to involve future generations in the future of the borough. These are three landmark projects for Accrington and are further proof that Hyndburn is on the up."

Kathy Reade, chairman of East Lancashire Primary Care Trust, said: "Our new health centres in Hyndburn are designed to be close to the communities they serve. I'm really pleased that children from local schools are playing their part in these projects. What they are doing will be seen by people in a future age. That will be fascinating for all involved."