THE Salvation Army is celebrating 80 years in a north Durham village this week.

The Leadgate Corps is marking the occasion with a photographic exhibition featuring highlights of its years in the village, as well as meetings and talks.

Salvation Army Leadgate corps commander Captain Lynne Edwards said: "We have always been a community corps and do a lot to attract people from outside - not just for worship. The church does not look inward, but outward to see what it can do in the community.

"We have a luncheon club, ladies fellowship, over 50s club and stage community pantomimes and children's musical shows. The last pantomime, Dick Whittington, attracted over 400 people."

The corps, which started as an outreach for the Consett Corps is based in Green Street.

The hall will be open to the public from 10am to 1.30pm on Thursday, Friday and on Saturday, when there will be a coffee morning.

On Thursday and Friday afternoon Colonel Alex Johnson, a former public school head, will give a talk to children of Leadgate Infant and Junior schools.

Services of worship and celebration will be held in the hall at 10am and 5pm on Sunday.

A book, The Corps Remembered, will be on sale at the hall.