SHE might have been fictional, but her General Election manifesto will strike a chord with many, including campaigning for better railways and better weather in winter.

The candidate -a brolly-wielding lady called Betty Podkins -was created by William Morley Egglestone, a 19th Century historian who did more than anyone to chronicle the social and industrial life of Weardale and preserve its dialect.

In a series of books, Egglestone, who worked as a lead miner, shopkeeper, printer and sanitary inspector, recounts, through Betty, all aspects of life in the County Durham dale.

More importantly, all his stories are written in the Weardale dialect.

Now, as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations, the Weardale Museum, in Ireshopeburn, has reprinted Egglestone's original stories with modern translations.

One recounts how Betty stood for Parliament in the 1885 General Election at the time William Gladstone was prime minister.

For example, as part of her election campaign, Betty recounts in Weardale dialect: "There's twee er three things we want varra mickle a Wardale, en that's leed -that bonny metal - we want 18 pund a ton, if nee maar; and a railway up Wardale; nd better weather whiles a winter, bd we'll strike t' weather off iv we can nobbit git t' other twee."

Translated, this reads: "There's two or three things we want very much in Weardale, and that's lead -that bonny metal -we want £18 a ton, if no more; a railway up Weardale, and better weather sometimes in winter, but we'll strike the weather off if we can just get the other two."

Sadly, Egglestone never reveals what happened to Betty's campaign, with the story only focusing on the election run-up.

The museum, acknowledged nationally for maintaining the important legacy of John Wesley, nestles next to High House Chapel, the oldest Methodist chapel still in weekly use since it was founded in 1760.

The anniversary celebrations will reach their climax with a free open day on Saturday, from 2pm to 5pm. The museum also features a kitchen furnished as it used to be for dale families 100 years ago and a display of local minerals and fossils. The museum can be contacted by calling David Heatherington on (01388) 517433.