Participants in the Taste of Hackney project which celebrates the past of Ridley Road market

A history project in Hackney reached the semi finals of the National Lottery Awards 2012 and is calling on residents to help it make the final.

A Taste of Hackney celebrates the vibrant past of Ridley Road market by collecting the memories of the people who have lived, shopped and worked there during the 20th century.

It is just one of 10 projects shortlisted in the Best Heritage Project category which searches for the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded scheme and awards it £2,000.

A Taste of Hackney project manager Samantha Schneider said: “We’re very excited to be in the semi-finals of the National Lottery Awards as what we are doing is quite unique, using a phone app to tell the story of the market’s past.”

She said the £43,000 of lottery funding ensured that an important part of London’s social heritage is not lost.

“It’s preserving the voices of the market traders and shoppers at a time when the area is undergoing rapid change. It has also helped develop community relations by bringing two generations together to work on something which promotes their local area.”

Voting is open until midday on July 26. To vote call 0844 836 9710 or visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards