THE first batch of 100 records from late broadcaster John Peel’s renowned collection will become available as part of a ground-breaking digital archive this week.

From tomorrow the initial selection of Mr Peel’s digitised discs will launch the online library as part of The Space Project.

Mr Peel lived in Great Finborough, near Stowmarket, and his home is filled with a vast library of LPs and singles compiled during more than 30 years of broadcasting, which is considered to be one of the most important collections of rare, unusual and one-off recordings in the world.

The Space is a new experimental service organised and funded by the Arts Council and the BBC.

The team behind the The John Peel Centre for Creative Arts (JPCCA), including his widow Sheila Ravenscroft and its project partner Eye Film and Television, were granted funding for project by the Arts Council while the BBC will provide support and development advice.

JPCCA trustee Andrew Stringer said it was an exciting time for everybody connected with both The Space scheme and the Peel centre project.

He said: “This will be a landmark week for the JPCCA and our involvement can demonstrate to the public what the potential of our project is.

“There’s been an awful lot of work going on and this is going to be a major step forward to show what’s achievable.”

The recordings will be available online at www.thespace.org from tomorrow.

The activity with the Space Project comes in an exciting week for the Peel Centre.

Tonight there is a near sell-out lecture – the venue’s first – called the Physics of Superheroes.

Professor Alan Davies will discuss the powers of a variety of comic-book characters, demonstrating how they have a basis supported by the laws of physics. And on Friday night Billy Bragg will appear at the centre to celebrate Woody Guthrie’s centenary with a concert that draws from the Grammy-nominated Mermaid Avenue albums.

Tickets for the show event are �20 from the tourist information office in Stowmarket on 01449 676800.