FREE courses aimed at preserving County Durham's mining heritage start next month.

The Durham Miner Project is staging informal six-week courses in Consett, Lanchester and Stanhope helping people learn more about the history of their communities.

Students can choose the area of mining history they would like to research, ranging from a particular mine to the life of a miner's wife.

For further details, contact Sheila Forster at Durham County Council, on 0191-383 4478.