PEOPLE in Weymouth and Portland are being given the chance to contribute to a piece of history.

Residents are invited to come up with names for six new roads at the Osprey Quay development on Portland.

Millions of pounds are being invested into the former Royal Naval Air Station site in Dorset's biggest regeneration project that is seen as key to the region's economic development.

Things begin to take shape this year as the construction of the flagship sailing academy nears completion.

Six new roads on the 80-acre waterfront site will also become public highway for the first time, prompting owners the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) to turn to Echo readers for help.

Kay Homer, the regional head of SWRDA operations, said: "As Osprey Quay will be a facility that will be of major economic and social benefit to the local area the RDA thought it suitable that the local community should choose the appropriate names for the roads.

"Portland and the surrounding area has such a rich environment and history that we would welcome the expertise and knowledge of local people in making this important contribution."

Suggestions should be relevant to the Osprey Quay development and people are encouraged to take an overall theme in their choice of road names.

The author of the winning suggestions, who will be announced in March by a panel set up by SWRDA, receives a £100 prize as well as a donation of £300 to a Portland charity of their choice.

Entries should include the names of the six roads as well as a short explanation (100 words maximum) detailing the reasons behind the suggestions.

They should be marked 'road naming competition' and submitted on plain white paper (no more than two sides of A4) or by using the entry form obtainable from the main gate at Osprey Quay.