EAST Durham residents and visitors are invited to find out about the area's mining heritage this weekend.

On Sunday, a seven-mile Miners' Heritage Trail sponsored walk will take place, that will guide people through artworks and historical attractions in the district.

It also aims to promote Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre, which opened in September last year in the village's redundant chapel of rest.

The opening of the centre was the idea of Wheatley Hill residents who, with the help of numerous grants, have filled the centre with exhibitions depicting the history of the village and local mines.

Local people donated artefacts and even the community's school pupils helped - creating models of mining cottages and a mural depicting the life of a Durham coal mining family.

The centre will be the starting point for circular walk, which also take in sculptures in Thornley, a ceramic time-line in Wheatley Hill and also passes through Wingate and Trimdon Station.

Lesley Watson, from Wheatley Hill Community Partnership, said: "We're doing a sponsored walk to highlight this trail and to promote it.

"Local groups like mother and toddler groups can also do the walk to raise funds. But it can be done anytime."

The heritage centre is open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10am and midday and from 2pm to 4pm.