A PROJECT which uses virtual reality to help bring dementia patients back to the present was inspired by a son's trip down memory lane with his beloved father.

The founders of The Wayback Project are hoping to trial the scheme in care homes across Essex.

It started with a video recreation of coronation day in 1953, shot on 3D film using actors, costumes and immensely detailed props.

Users of a simple set of 3D goggles can immerse themselves in the film, with the desired effect of bringing back vivid memories for those in various stages of Alzheimer's Disease.

Dan Cole, one of Wayback's creators, conceived the idea following a drive around Camden, north London, with his father Terry, who was in the early stages of Alzheimer's.

Terry, from Clacton, passed away three years ago at the age of 75, but his widow and Dan's mother Mary, 75, still lives in the town.

"One afternoon I drove him back to his old hometown, just me and him," he said.

"We were in the car and driving around and although the streets have changed almost beyond recognition, being immersed in where he grew up he started telling me all these stories about what happened on that corner or this place.

"It was amazing to see, he was good-humoured, he was back in the moment when he was reminiscing about old haunts, pubs where he used to drink.

"That stuck with me.

"In December 2014 a couple of friends at work were talking about their experiences.

"We we thought wouldn't it be great to do something to help.

"We started using virtual reality at work.

"If done properly, these films can surround the user, taking over their sight and senses.

"We thought it would be quite interesting to put someone in a familiar situation they might remember quite vividly and see the result."

The projected managed to crowdfund £35,000 to help create the first film.

From an original team of seven, it has taken hundreds of people, including film extras and a 70-strong film crew, to get to that stage.

Now Dan is hoping to roll the project out across care homes in Clacton and Essex to record the reactions of patients.

"We want to hear from care homes to test this out even further," he said.

"We have seen the effect in can have on people.

"One couple we found, in their 80s, were in a care home together.

"The wife had struggled with having any connections with staff, she wouldn't really engage with anyone.

"But they shared this experience with the VR and they were suddenly laughing together, recalling what they had done on that day.

"From that moment on we realised we were on to something."

The project is a finalist in the Essex Challenge Dementia Prize competition and could receive a £100,000 grant if victorious.

This would help the creators craft further films.

For more information, visit thewaybackvr.com