CUSTOMS, legends and traditions of Bishop Auckland are being relived in a booklet which was launched at the weekend.

Volunteers from The Discovery Centre in the town began their research earlier this year at a six week display staged at the centre and a touring exhibition around local libraries.

Information was given to oral historian Julie Wood and has now been brought together in the 31 page booklet Customs and Traditions of Bishop Auckland.

The project cost £12,000 with funding coming from the Local Heritage Initiative.

Vicky Holbrough, from Groundwork West Durham and the Discovery Centre, said: "It has been quite a big project.

"We have looked into what people did at special times of the year and brought it all together.

"There's been a lot of hard work put into it from everybody who has been involved, both young and old, and it has brought together different sections of the community.''

The booklet was officially launched by Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster at a ceremony on Saturday.

It is now on sale for £1.50.