THE Canvey Community Archive is promising to be bigger and better than ever after coming under new chairmanship.

Councillor Joan Liddiard has been announced as the new chairman of the archive.

It was set up in April 2008 to document the island’s history and keep residents’ memories alive through its website.

However, Mrs Liddiard is hoping to increase its role in the community.

She said: “I have so many new ideas. The website works really well, but I really want us to come out into the open and get more involved in the community.

“I think we should be holding more open days so people can come to us with their stories and form partnerships with other organisations.

“This hasn’t been done before, which is a shame as not everyone has a computer. So it’s just about building the great work being done already and maybe even bringing it to the mainland.”