A NEW £12 million Ebbw Vale visitor centre will be showcased to the public as part of this year’s National Eisteddfod celebrations.

The family history and genealogy visitor centre, which is the first of its kind in the UK, is due to open at the historic General Offices at The Works in 2011.

But as part of this summer’s festivities, the public will be invited for a sneak preview of the centre.

The Head of the Valleys funded centre will use the latest in interactive and 3D technology to educate visitors on the history of the South Wales Valleys.

This will include digitised newspapers from the past, photos, maps, recordings and films as well as multi-touch surfaces, interactive games and a state of the art 30-seat, five dimensional cinema.

The project, which is a joint venture between Blaenau Gwent Council and the Assembly, will also be home to the Gwent Records Office which has one of the largest archives in Wales with records dating back to the 1300s.

People can find out more about what will be on offer from the centre during the Blaenau Gwent and Heads of the Valleys National Eisteddfod which is being held at The Works from July 31 to August 7.

It is hoped around 150,000 to 165,000 people will visit throughout the week pumping up to £8million into the local economy.

Leader of Blaenau Gwent Council, Cllr Des Hillman said: “We are calling on to all those whose families originate from the South Wales Valleys to return and experience where their relatives came from and see the Valleys in their modern, attractive setting.”