A MEMORIAL for victims of a devastating wartime bombing raid will be unveiled at a dedication service next month.

A memorial stone and garden will be unveiled by North Durham MP Kevan Jones opposite Peggy's Wicket, in Beamish Village, near Stanley, at 2pm on Saturday, June 12.

The event is the culmination of research carried out by local historian Jack Hair into the bombing of Beamish in the early hours of May 1, 1942.

Eight people died, including three children, and more than 30 were injured when a bomb detonated several hours later.

Mr Hair, who has published an account of the tragedy, The Bombs at Beamish, said: "Beamish is now world- famous for the Open Air Museum, with thousands of visitors annually. However, on May 1, 1942, at about 3am, the only visitors to Beamish were a German bomb crew looking for somewhere to offload their high explosive bombs.

"Nestled there between two railway lines and the river nearby, Beamish probably looked a prime site from above."

Three 1,000lb bombs were dropped, with the first exploding upon impact, causing damage to shops and houses in Station Road.

The second bomb exploded six hours later on the rail embankment of the collier line, blowing out most of the windows in the village.

The third, on a 12-hour time delay, exploded in a shop in Station Road at about 9pm, killing eight and injuring more than 30 others, including two policemen.

A committee was formed to raise funds following a talk at the South Moor Local History Group. Mr Hair was helped by Lillion Gallon, Bill Lees, Dorothy Rand and Audrey Spoors.

Mr Hair said: "There are still many survivors of this disaster, and the police have also shown great interest due to the special constables killed that day."

Urpeth Parish Council is providing shrubs for the memorial garden, which is being installed by Chester-le-Street District Council.

The memorial is being sculpted by Scott Memorials and will include the names of the eight killed.

The band and choir of Durham Constabulary will attend the dedication service, to be conducted by the Reverend John Lintern, the Reverend Roger Brown and the Reverend John Scorer.