A CHANCE to uncover your family history is on offer at a state-of-the-art facility in Hereford.

The Herefordshire Archive and Record Centre (HARC), based at the Skylon Park Enterprise Zone in Rotherwas, houses approximately 7,800 archive collections in its state-of-the-art climate controlled storage facilities, which occupies more than two miles of shelving.

The archives date back to the twelfth century – most of which are in Latin – and can help research almost any aspect of Herefordshire's past.

Visitors can use the HARC centre facilities for free, although they will need to take proof of identity including their name and address (such as a driving licence or utility bill) to obtain a readers card which is valid for four years.

The award-winning building is energy efficient, with running costs significantly less because of the leading edge 'passivhaus design'.

It now provides Herefordshire's archives with the environmental and access standards as required by The National Archives for accreditation.

Visit herefordshire.gov.uk/harc for more on the HARC or follow the centre at facebook.com/herefordshirearchives