Blackbird Leys may be close to marking its 50th anniversary but, as a local history day will reveal, the site boasts a vibrant past dating back 2,000 years.

Residents are invited to bring their own memories, memorabilia and photographs to a History Day at Blackbird Leys Library next month.

The event charts the site's past, ranging from the pottery industry of the Roman era to the building of one of the county's largest housing estates.

Curators and librarians hope to make the estate's history come alive as residents prepare to celebrate 50 years of Blackbird Leys in 2007.

The History Day will be held at the library in Cuddesdon Way, on Friday, November 10.

Early council agendas and minutes from the agreement to build the estate, and maps from the turn of the last century showing the area as fields and a sewage farm serving Oxford will be on show for residents. There will also be photographs charting the massive building project during the 1950s and 1960s to complete the estate and a logbook from the former Blackbird Leys Primary School from 1959.

Roman artefacts dating back 2,000 years found in the soil when thousands of homes in Greater Leys were being built will also be on show.

But the exhibition will not be complete without residents bringing their own memorabilia to the history party.

County councillor Don Searle, cabinet member for cultural services and adult learning, said: "This promises to be an excellent opportunity for people to find out more about the first-class family and local history services on offer.

"Local people may be particularly interested in finding out more about the history of the area, given that the Blackbird Leys estate will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year."

Visitors will be able to use computers to look up collections of documents and names.

There will also be advice on various county council services, including the Oxfordshire Record Office and Oxfordshire Studies which charts family history, local housing studies and collections of maps, photos and oral history tapes going back hundreds of years.

Run by Oxfordshire County Council, it is one of a series of local history days around the county.

Local groups including the Afro-Caribbean Oral Youth Project and the Blackbird Leys IT Zone will be lending a hand.

Anyone who is able to loan items should call Debbie Walker on 01865 770403.

The event runs from 2-7pm.