EYEWITNESSES are being sought to help tell the amazing story of how Durham was spared from a devastating wartime bombing raid.

In retaliation for RAF raids on Germany, Hitler ordered the Luftwaffe to attack the region's most historic city, and in the early hours of May 1 1942, commanders launched their assault.

However, as the waves of aircraft approached, a mist rose from the River Wear, shrouding the city and hiding it from enemy view.

The frustrated pilots flew on, the all-clear sounded and the mist disappeared just as suddenly as it had arrived.

One army observer wrote at the time: "As soon as the air raid sirens sounded, a mist began to swirl up from the River Wear.

"Within seconds, a city and cathedral bathed in moonlight had become shrouded."

The event became known as the Miracle of Durham.

Now, historian Jack Hair, of Stanley, is researching the event and wants to hear from anyone who witnessed it.

He said: "Hundreds of people wrote into the Durham Advertiser afterwards, all claiming to have seen this miracle."

Although the mist saved Durham and its priceless heritage, it was disastrous for the small village of Beamish, ten miles away.

The German pilots, seeking other targets for their weapons, targeted the tiny community and three of their bombs struck home.

One exploded on impact, damaging shops and houses.

The second landed on an embankment and the bomb disposal squad had enough time to seal the area before it went off.

But the third lay ticking away, undiscovered in Smith's shop in Station Road until later that night.

It exploded as a group of children were playing nearby and people were waiting at a bus stop.

Eight people died, including three children, and 25 were injured.

Some survivors have already given their accounts of the carnage, which were included in Mr Hair's booklet, The Bombs at Beamish.

He now hopes that those who saw the Miracle of Durham can give him the other side of the story.

Mr Hair said: "A lot of the witnesses are still alive today and some will have vivid accounts of what happened."

Anyone with memories of the events at Beamish or Durham should write to Jack Hair at 90 Eastfields, Stanley, County Durham DH9 7DN.