1940 was a remarkable year in which Britain experienced the blitz, saw the start of food rationing and sent evacuees away from their homes. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of this astounding year, factual channel Yesterday is releasing a selection of TV shows that celebrate the spirit of 1940 during wartime in Britain, and now Yesterday needs you!

Ration Book Britain is coming to your screens on 15 January, and marks the launch of six specially commissioned shows. To celebrate the first show, Yesterday are asking for your help in compiling an online library of stories and memorabilia from WW2.

What are your memories of the Second World War? How did you experience life with rations? Yesterday would love to know, and is inviting you to share your experiences with others by asking for your help in collating memories and stories from times gone by.

Getting involved is easy. You can send in your own stories, pictures or scans from a scrap book. Did you keep photos of your wartime sweetheart that has always stayed with you? Or how about sharing a favourite recipe that your grandma used to make? Were you a child growing up during the war, or perhaps you’re a youngster now and can persuade your grandpa to dig out his medals?

You can send your memories in any format by email and they’ll pick the best to display on the Yesterday website for all to see. You could even record a wartime story on your new iPhone, and submit a sound bite! Getting involved is easy, simply visit www.visityesterday.co.uk or email your stories to your1940story@uktv.co.uk

The first commission from The Spirit of the 1940s begins with Ration Book Britain, a brand new, one hour special that begins on 15 January 2010 at 5pm. This particular show will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the start of food rationing in Britain, with a unique look at this period of austerity in British History and the impact that rationing had on individual lives.

Helping to document 14 years of food rationing is chef and passionate food lover Valentine Warner, who’ll use all his culinary skills to recreate some of the important wartime recipes, while we’ll also hear firsthand memories from the people tasked with keeping Britain fighting fit throughout the WWII.

Tune in to Ration Book Britain exclusively on Yesterday: Sky 537, Virgin 203, Freeview 12 on 15th January 2010 at 5pm. For more information visit www.visityesterday.co.uk