TWO books depicting the history of one of the region's youngest communities have been launched.

The village of Delves Lane, near Consett, was founded in 1921, when the first miners' cottages were built for workers at the nearby Victory Pit.

Villager Tony Westgarth has compiled pictures of its early years in two books, entitled Delves Lane Revisited, parts one and two.

"As far as I know, nothing has ever been written about Delves Lane before," he said.

"I found some old photographs and a lot more have been given to me since, so I thought it would make a nice book."

The booklets also take in the nearby communities of Knitsley Mill and Templetown.

They include a rare picture of Salem Chapel at Knitsley, which was built in 1842 and demolished in the 1950s.

Also featured is Ye Olde Scalliwags Inn, a roadside shelter in Templetown where the elder statesmen of the village would meet to put the world to rights.

The first edition run of 400 copies, published late last year, sold out in a matter of weeks. The second book in the series was launched this week and Mr Westgarth has printed a further 200 copies of the first edition to meet demand.

The project was made possible by a £15,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which paid for specialist printing equipment and running costs.

"The grant has made this a community project, because it means I could afford to send copies of the books to local schools, libraries and the Beamish Museum," Mr Westgarth said.

The first two volumes have led to more people coming forward with old photographs, and he hopes to include these in the third book in the series, due out later this year.

But many of the photos have raised more questions than they have answered.

"We don't have all the names of the people on the photos and some of the dates are unclear," Mr Westgarth said. "It would be nice to have the full picture."

A selection of the best images have been blown up and put on display in Delves Lane village hall.

The books, priced £3 each, can be bought from Mr Westgarth through the village hall on (01207) 583174, or at Crinnion's newsagents in Delves Lane.