FORMER patients now living in the community have produced a calendar of artwork about their time living in a hospital.

The calendar, Our Lives, Our Futures, reflects the memories and experiences of 36 people with learning disabilities who lived at Earls House Hospital, in Durham.

Since last year, they have moved to new homes in the community with the last 18 residents due out by April.

The calendar includes artwork which was produced at activity sessions staged by local artists and volunteers over the years.

It is being distributed to former residents and staff at the hospital to mark the change in their lives.

Anne Chambers, one of the managers who helped produce the calendar, said: " For decades, Earls House Hospital was home to many people with learning disabilities.

"These people are now moving on and making new, and more independent, lives for themselves and the calendar is a way of marking this important time in their lives.

"The artwork is absolutely fantastic and a credit to everyone involved.

"It will, I am sure, be cherished by the people who lived and worked at Earls House."