A UNIVERSITY thesis written almost 70 years ago has become a valuable addition to the archives at Killhope Lead Mining Museum.

When she handed in her 84-page study to lecturers at Newcastle in 1935, Connie Ayre, then Connie Atherton, never dreamt it would one day be prized by twenty-first century mining enthusiasts. Her dissertation examined the geology, geography and development of Upper Weardale and is as topical today as when it was compiled.

Mrs Ayre, now 91, presented it to the Friends of Killhope at the museum, a few miles from her home in Stanhope.

The thesis lay forgotten until last year when it turned up in the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology at Newcastle University. Mrs Ayre's son-in-law, David Budgen, had contacted the university who sent her a 90th birthday card and surprised her by finding the bound copy.

Typed by a friend and illustrated with black and white photographs and meticulous hand drawings, the document is too fragile to put on show. It can, however, be seen for the first time in a display of Killhope's Hidden Treasures over the weekend of August 14 and 15.

Mrs Ayre grew up in Bishop Auckland, where her father Albert Henry Atherton ran a shoe shop, and taught in Tynemouth after graduating from Armstrong College, which became part of Newcastle University the year after she left.

She moved to Stanhope when her husband Charlie got a job teaching French at Wolsingham Grammar School, raising daughters Elizabeth and Margaret.

She said: "It was amazing that it should turn up after all this time. I worked hard on it and I am pleased that it is coming to Killhope where it will do some good."

Dick Graham, friends' chairman, said: "It is interesting how little has changed in Weardale.

"The cement works weren't built in 1935 and they have closed and the railway was running then and now that is open again."