TALES from countries as far afield as Iran and Finland found on Enfield's doorstep will be told at a story-telling event in Edmonton next week.

Over the past ten months story collector Richard Neville has been scouring the borough's libraries and meeting with ordinary people who live nearby to build up a collection of personal anecdotes.

More than 1,500 people from estates, primary schools and other neighbourhoods have contributed to project with tales from Ghana, Zambia, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Turkey, Cyprus, Jamaica, Iran, Somalia, India and Finland.

He said: "It is amazing how many stories there are - everyone has a great story passed on through generations and in this part of Edmonton people have so much to tell."

Sixteen stories have now been published in an illustrated book and also as a DVD which will be launched at Fore Street Library in Edmonton on Thursday, March 10.

It was funded through the Mayor of London's Well London initiative supported by the Big Lottery.

Councillor Bambos Charalambous, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: "Rich folklore and family tales have brought a small community together - proud of their heritage which is now recorded for all time and can be borrowed from the Fore Street Library in Upper Edmonton.

"Well London projects are intended to improve the lives of people living in the poorest 11 per cent of areas in London. The Edmonton project has been a tremendous boost to learning, sharing and people getting to know each other."