HISTORIANS are raising a glass to Rowley and Oldbury First World War heroes with a unique project to honour their bravery on commemorative beer mats.

As part of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, Sandwell libraries, archives and museums services are shinning a spotlight on local heroes.

Three heroes from each town in Sandwell have been nominated by local history groups and now the public is being asked to pick one who they want to see commemorated in November on the mats.

Rowley's heroes are Corporal Samuel Hill who died in a trench in the Somme in 1916 aged 21, Reverend William Dimmock who perished in Battle of Bukoba in East Africa in June 1915 aged of 25 and Lance Corporal Sidney Taylor who died in the Battle of Loos in 1915 aged 28.

Oldbury's heroes are Company Sergeant-Major Thomas Frederick Slim who died in the Somme in 1916 aged 32 after a decorated career in the Army, Private Albert Barnsley who died in Arras aged 21 and Lance-Corporal Frederick George Sawyer who died in third Battle of Yypes aged 21 in 1917.

Voting will end on Friday, October 14.

The hero from each town with the most votes will be remembered on a special beer mat which will be distributed to local pubs in November alongside a special design that will remember all of Sandwell's First World War heroes.

Councillor Richard Marshall, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for leisure, said: "Please vote and help us raise a glass to a local hero.

"When you read about these local men and women it really brings it home to you what sacrifices they made. They were among hundreds who went to war from each of our towns, many of whom never came home."

To vote in the poll visit www.raiseaglassforalocalhero.wordpress.com.