A HISTORY project charting the lives for three key figures from Poole's maritime past has been completed.

The 'Pirates, Castaways and Codfish' initiative, organised by the Rotary Club of Poole Bay, examines how Admiral Sir Thomas Button, Captain John Bennet and Governor Woodes Rogers influenced Poole port during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

The project, inspired by a quest to identify whether the three historical characters had given their names to old alleyways leading to Poole Quay, is now summarised in a new heritage book published by the Rotary Club.

Don Nutt, Poole Bay Rotary member and project manager, said: "We have been thrilled not only by the number and enthusiasm of our community researchers, but also by the interest already shown by local people.

"We very much hope that our new book, the associated website and other interpretative material which we will be handing over to Poole Museum will provide a suitable legacy, ensuring that Poole’s heritage can be shared as widely as possible with young people, residents and visitors.”

Poole Museum director Michael Spender said he was pleased the museum would be playing its part in helping to develop an even better understanding of Poole's maritime history over this key 150 year period from 1580 through to 1730.

Copies of the book will be available, in due course, from Poole Museum.

Poole Mayor Cllr Sean Gabriel, along with other guests, attended a special lunch at Poole's Hotel du Vin to celebrate the completion of the project.

Cllr Gabriel said: "I will be adding this to the items on display in the mayor’s parlour.

"It is an excellent guide to an important period in Poole’s history and one that I would like to see shared widely with local people."

The project was made possible after securing almost £10,000 of National Lottery funding.

Heritage Lottery Fund South West Committee chairman Stephen Boyce said: "Stories are the currency of ordinary history. Small details, such as the name of a street, help us share the knowledge of what makes a place."

He also congratulated the Poole Bay Rotary Club for adding to the 40 projects already supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund in Poole.