Sporting stars and great games from yester-year will be recalled as new groups are launched in Suffolk.

The Sporting Memories reminiscence groups will launch at six libraries in the county – including Lowestoft Library – from next month.

The new groups, which are open to those aged over 50, are being run by the Sporting Memories Network and Suffolk Libraries. The reminiscence groups also encourage people with dementia and mental health issues to share sporting memories.

Visitors will be able to handle sporting images and memorabilia from local and national collections, share tales of watching or participating in sport and enjoy quizzes, games and activities while making new friends.

Sporting Memories Suffolk project manager Richard Hunt said: 'Sport is a powerful medium for many people, providing memories of great games, sporting legends and marvellous victories, but also the friendships made and the sense of community that playing or watching sports brings.

'Talking about sporting events and cultures of the time helps to give people their identity back and reconnect them to the people and generations around them. We think that libraries are the perfect place to bring people together to form new groups in Suffolk and we hope people will come forward to find out more.'

Anyone is welcome to attend a session to find out more. Sessions will cover all types of sport, though organisers anticipate that Ipswich Town will be a popular topic – as 2018 marks 40 years since the team won the FA Cup.

Groups will be officially launched on February 6 at Ipswich County Library, with Suffolk sporting ambassadors attending to share stories with guests.

James Powell, communications manager at Suffolk Libraries, said: 'We are delighted to be working with Sporting Memories in 2018. Sport has touched all of our lives at some time, either at school, as an activity, spectator, or in our leisure time. Using the Sporting Memories collections and resources are an excellent way to reconnect with those experiences, bring friends together and have fun.'

In the run up to the launch, volunteers are being sought to help run and support the sessions. Visit www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/news/sporting-memories/ for further details.