PEOPLE'S memories of Britain's darkest hours are needed for a project remembering the Second World War.

County Durham residents are being encouraged to tell their tales from the Second World War for posterity.

Bill Williamson, emeritus professor at Durham University, is to give three talks later this month to urge more people to visit their local library and add their stories to the BBC's People's War project.

The talks are at the Clayport Library in Durham City, at 2pm on Tuesday, June 21; at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, at 10.30am on Wednesday, June 22, and at Seaham Library at 2.15pm on the same day.

Prof Williamson said: "Those who fought and lived through the Second World War can look back on the most dangerous part of their lives.

"They were times of great sacrifice and sorrow, but also of great achievement. The struggle was not fought just on the battlefields or in the air, but in the factories, on the farms and in the ordinary lives of millions of families.

"The stories of those who lived through these times are among the most important of the modern history of Britain.

"Much has been done to collect these stories and keep them for posterity, but as the older generation passes away and memories fade, a great deal of this rich archive will be lost."

Tickets for the talks are free and are available from Clayport Library on 0191-386 4003, Bishop Auckland Town Hall on (01388) 602610 or Seaham Library on 0191-581 2034.