Buildings of interest are to be opened to the public for free in the Durham area next month.

Visitors can see more than 37 properties, many never or rarely open to the public, as part of the city's contribution to Heritage Open Days 2004.

The days are being staged nationwide by the Civic Trust from September 10 to 13.

At last year's event, 3,500 people took advantage of the offer in Durham.

The aim this year is to appeal to children, and both the Salvation Army Hall, in Saddler Street, and St Nicholas Church, in the city, will have special activities for youngsters.

There will also be a chance of a guided tour of the remains of Finchale Abbey, the medieval monastic retreat for members of the priory at Durham Cathedral, on the banks of the River Wear north of the city.

Tracy Ingle, the event's co-ordinator on behalf of Durham City Council, said: "This is a fabulous opportunity to see halls, houses, gardens, cellars, hidden landscapes, and chapels, not normally open to the public."

The programme is still being finalised, but a full listing of properties and events will be placed soon on the council's website, www. durhamcity.gov.uk

Nationally, details of participating properties are available on www.heritage opendays.org