AN exhibition celebrating the 1940s opened in Bishop Auckland yesterday.

The Home Front, a display of memorabilia from the period, started at the Bishop Auckland Discovery Centre, in the town's market place.

Featuring helmets, gas masks, newspapers and popular music from the time, including White Cliffs of Dover and Run Rabbit Run other war time items, the exhibition will run until Saturday, June 18.

It has been arranged by environmental charity Groundwork West Durham to coincide with the VE day celebrations.

"Obviously, it's 60 years since the end of the war and it is aimed to get people to come and learn about war time," said James Lowther, of Groundwork. "We're also holding several other events about the war."

Also on display is an exhibition called Gentlemen at War: Policing Britain 1939-1945, which looks at policing during the war.

Both exhibitions are free and Bishop Auckland Discovery Centre is open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 10am and 3pm.