MEMBERS of a small rural community are invited to swap notes on the history of their village at weekly meetings.

A fledgling local history society has attracted interest from 15 villagers in Cassop, which is midway between Durham and Peterlee.

The settlement, surrounded by several former mining villages, dates back to medieval times when it was a small centre for the local agricultural community.

Nowadays it serves as a commuter settlement and is probably most famous for its wind turbine, which provides an alternative power source at the village primary school.

Meetings are held at the Front Street community centre, on Fridays, at 6pm, and any other interested members of the community, or old-Cassopians, are welcome. There is no charge.

One of the founder members, Kevin Bell, said: "Like many people from Cassop I've moved away, but as I'm only from Newton Aycliffe it's not too far away.

"There are people brought up in the village spread all over, but they may have old pictures of Cassop or other items of interest which they may want to bring to the meetings. We hope to set up a website and eventually to publish a local history book of the village."

Further information is available from Billy Walker on (01429) 820453.