THOUSANDS of people will gather in the North-East next month for a major national exhibition on local and family history.

The Great North Fair takes place in Gateshead International Stadium, Neilson Road, Gateshead, on Saturday, September 13, from 10am to 4.30pm.

It is the first event of its kind to be held in the region, and 4,000 visitors are expected through the doors.

David Tonks, a former resident of Lanchester, near Consett, County Durham, will promote his book, My Ancestor was a Coalminer, and offer free advice on tracing families at the Society of Genealogists' stand.

Other organisations attending are the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the Public Record Office and Beamish Open Air Museum, in County Durham.

Northumberland and Dur-ham Family History Society will be joined by history societies from across the UK.

The National Archives and Commonwealth War Graves Commission will be demonstrating their online catalogues and search services.

For further details, visit www.greatnorthfair.com