THE lives of soldiers and their families in north-west Durham during the Great War will be the focus of an exhibition opening next week.

Derwentside Catholic Family History Society will be showing its Wartime Memories collection in the Empire Theatre, Consett.

Society member Gerry Corr, said: "The focus will not be on the war itself, but on the men who served and the social history of Derwentside at the time."

One of those featured will be Private Patrick Joseph McBride, whose family, who still live in Consett, loaned his medals and papers.

Pte McBride was an Irish immigrant whose family lived in Trafalgar Street, Consett, and was a popular singer in the North-East. He was killed in action aged 25, fighting with the Durham Light Infantry at Armentieres on October 6, 1915.

Mr Corr said: "Thanks to what the family has given us, we are hoping to do a glimpse of both his life and the life of his family at home."

There will also be a display on Pte Patrick Collins, winner of the Distinguished Conduct Medal - second only to the Victoria Cross. He died aged 27 in March 1917 fighting in Belgium. His mother was presented with the medal after his death in a special ceremony at the Olympia picture house in Consett.

Their stories are covered in a book by the society, entitled St Mary's War Memorial, Blackhill, which will be on sale at the exhibition. There will also be a computer with internet access, offering visitors the chance to find out exactly what happened to relatives who died in the conflict.

Consett firm AA Flags has recreated some of the most famous regimental banners from the time.

Jack Kavanagh, chairman of the Durham branch of the Great War Association, will detail the home front, including Shotley Bridge Hospital, which opened in 1914 and became a rehabilitation centre for badly injured soldiers from 1919 until 1926.

Both the Durham Light Infantry Museum and the Northumberland Fusiliers Museum at Alnwick Castle, are loaning various pieces for the exhibition.

It will run alongside Consett Junior Theatre Workshop's production of Oh What a Lovely War at the Empire Theatre, Monday to Wednesday, June 16 to 18.

The society is appealing for any more memorabilia for the exhibition. Anyone interested is asked to contact Michael Curran on (01207) 506566.

For tickets to the show, contact Margaret Darroch on (01207) 505619.