A VIVID account is to be given of the blood-thirsty Border Reiver raiders and their pillaging of isolated communities across the North.

The story of the Reivers, or Riding Families, and their cross-border raids over several hundred years, will be told in what has been dubbed a "high-tech horror show".

Photographer Philip Nixon is to use modern digital imagery and production methods to present a slide and sound-show account of the Reivers' activities, which brought fear to people on either side of England's border with Scotland.

His presentation, narrated by Dennis Dunlop, will include contemporary photographs and illustrations of Reiver raid locations.

Mr Nixon said: "It is the story of the notorious Border Reivers who terrorised and raided northern England and southern Scotland for almost 400 years.

"The families in this area fought a seemingly endless series of raids and reprisals, with livestock-stealing and burning of homes an accepted way of life.

"They were tough, rugged people, merciless racketeers and plunderers, who held little sacred except their pledged word."

His talk takes place at Clayport Library, in Millennium Place, Durham, on Saturday, January 31.

Mr Nixon said: "If you have a reiver name, or suspect your ancestors were a load of villains up to no good, come along and have your worst fears confirmed."

Tickets for the show cost £2 and are available on 0191-386 4003.