VIEWERS of the popular television series Who Do You Think You Are? are turning to Reaseheath College for help in tracing their own history.

Demand for the Nantwich college's web-based genealogy courses has rocketed since the BBC series began earlier this year. The programmes follow celebrities such as Jeremy Clark-son and Bill Oddie as they search for clues about their ancestors.

Reaseheath's two-hour classes, which run for five sessions and are held daytime and evening, have become so popular that extra courses are planned.

Lecturer Bill Pearson has helped people trace their family tree back to the 16th Century by using computer technology.

Some have discovered relatives in other countries while others find they have roots in once thriving local industries such as leather-tanning, shoemaking or salt-mining.

Bill said: 'The internet has revolutionised research into family history.

'Even people with very limited information can apply for birth, marriage and death certificates, then find their ancestors in censuses and other sources of information.

'Tracing your ancestors is like being a detective - it brings history to life.'

Bill has traced his roots back over five centuries and has made friends with relatives who emigrated to America and Australia.

He said: 'If you are interested in tracing your family, the sooner you start the better. Young people are at an advantage because valuable sources of information like grandparents are often still alive.'

Reaseheath College also offers short leisure courses studying the history of Nantwich. For information ring 01270 613193.